the the SKINNERS’ THE LEOPARD 2018-19 SKINNERS’ school school

1910 - 1911

John Austen Charles Beecher William Bennett John Booker

1903 - 1905 1902 - 1909 1907 - 1909 1906 - 1907 Edmund Allen Ernest Anscombe Leo Barnard Robert Bourner Eustace Bowhay Robert Brown Thomas Browne 1895-1900 1908-1910 1910 - 1911 1913-1914 1898-1906 1908-1911 1903 - 1906 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas

Cecil Clifford Harry Colbourne Orazio Corte Alfredo De Duca

1912 1894 - 1899 1908 - 1909 1909 - 1913

Eric Buckley Anthony Cheeseman Claude Clements Aylett Cushen Howard Davy Ian Dempster Albert Dennis 1903-1908 1892-1897 Floreat Sodalitas 1895-1901 1903-1910 1903-1909 1915 1899-1901 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas

Walter Elleray Richard Furley Nelson Greenyer Henry Grove

1906 - 1909

1911 - 1914 1912 - 1914 1908 - 1910 Cecil Down Henry Drader Robert Dunn Frank Elwin George Fenoulhet Arthur Francis Owen Hairsine 1905-1909 1906-1909 1899 - 1904 1904-1909 1903 - 1904 1908-1912 1899-1906 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas

Louis Henning Lionel Hodge Frank Holyer Wilfred Hoskins

1900 - 1904 1904 - 1906 1905 - 1909 1900 - 1903

Sydney Hall Homer Herring Alan Hobbs Benjamin Hobbs Vernon Holden Victor Hollis Wallace Hoptroff 1907 - 1908 1910 - 1911 1904-1909 1905 - 1912 1906-1907 1902-1907 1888-1890 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas

Albert Javis Gilbert Kennaught Arthur King Albert Leggatt

1903-1906 1900 - 1903 1911 - 1912 1900 - 1903

George Hudson Maxwell Hughes Reginald Jenneway George Jones Lewis Knell Charles Malpass Edward Matthews 1905-1910 1906 - 1910 1907-1911 1909-1913 1910 - 1912 1907-1911 1905-1907 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas

Alan O’Kell Edward Henry Phillips Nelson Pinn Passingham

1914 1903 -1904 1903 - 1907 James Mould 1903 - 1904 Frank Oaten Leo Parsons Frederick Pavitt Sydney Payne Gerald Pickett Maurice Pickett

1905-1912 1907-1912 1910-1911 1911 - 1915 1907-1911 1902-1910 1902-1910 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas

Ernest Provis Rupert Shedel Kenneth Shelton Charles Slocombe David Smith Allan Stapley

1905 - 1909 1914 1888 - 1895 1910 - 1911 1913 - 1915 1905 - 1906

Ernest Provis Charles Richardson Edward Rush Thomas Simmons William Smith 1888 - 1895 1887-1894 1900-1907 1910 - 1914 1910-1911 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas

Harold Viser Charles Wickham William Work

Sixth Formers holding portraits of all 87 Skinners’

1910 - 1911 1905 - 1910 1902 - 1907 lost in World War One, November 2018. Donald Treacher William Strange William Taylor John Warwick Eric Waters Ernest Wilkinson William Wilkinson 1908 1895 - 99 1911 1904-1908 1899-1901 1906-1909 1906-1913 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas the The Skinners’ School Tel: 01892 520732 St John’s Road Fax: 01892 549356 Tunbridge Wells Email: [email protected] Kent Website: www.skinners-school.co.uk TN4 9PG @LeopardTweets LEOPARD 2018-19 Sara Venn Urban Gardener & Founder of Edible Bristol

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OCC4384_14005 CO The Leopard Skinners School Advert 242h x 170w mm.indd 1 28/05/2019 17:47 the LEOPARD 2018-19 the LEOPARD 2018-19 JOURNAL OF THE SKINNERS’ SCHOOL TUNBRIDGE WELLS

For more than 130 years, the Leopard has recounted and INSIDE: detailed Skinners’ students’ outstanding achievements and 2 59 escapades; this year, however, SKINNERS’ LIFE SPORT is a little different. A century Rugby 59 after the end of the First World War, the Leopard 2019 not 22 Cricket 80 only celebrates the success THE ARTS Hockey 90 of current students, but also Music 22 Fencing 95 commemorates the sacrifice Art & Design 25 Football 96 of the 87 Old Boys and Drama 30 Skiing 97 Masters who perished in that Creative Writing 34 Sports Day 98 terrible conflict, pictured on the Athletics 99 front cover. 40 Climbing 100 Nowadays, the school is more Lifesaving 101 dynamic and vibrant than ever; STEM whether it be an account of the Table Tennis 102 recent Senior Rugby Tour to 44 Badminton 103 South America, or a critique of TRIPS the Senior School’s performance 104 of The Rest is Silence, this ECONOMICS edition of the Leopard reflects 52 ADVENTURE upon a truly memorable year. 106 I would like to thank, on behalf of the editorial team, the SUSTAINABILITY students and staff alike who have made this issue a success; in 108 particular, Mr Wesson and Mrs LEAVERS’ Dray, whose dedication to the DESTINATIONS 2019 publication has shone throughout the editing process. Enjoy! Jono Newman

EDITORIAL TEAM PRODUCTION & DESIGN • Archie Barwick • Jo McCarthy • Ollie Bingham • Alison Harvey • Tom Lane • Billy Marsden PRINTED BY: • Jono Newman • wfmprint.co.uk • Ben Thomson • Jamie Tucker Team photos and some cricket action photos supplied courtesy of Bruce Paper from sustainable sources Elliott Photography.

www.skinners-school.co.uk 1 SKINNERS’ LIFE

Air raid shelters The photos are of the tunnels and Year 12 and Year 13 English A level groups who have been studying Ian McEwan’s Second World War novel Atonement.

As part of the building work for years, ran an extensive associated with the demolition reinforced tunnel built in 1940 of the Old Gym, the builders to house the entire school in the opened up the old Second event of an air raid. Sadly, now, World War air raid shelters that the end of the shelter has had run under the length of the to be filled in to prepare for the school yard. foundations of our new Library Students were amazed to find and Sixth Form Centre. However, that, under the yard where they the builders kindly let a small had been playing football, and group of students see this piece their parents had been parking of history. Chess

The Wednesday lunchtime club Luke Peters, Lorcan Pritchard, is always very well attended Dmitry Belousov, Giovanni and the school now has a Currah, Theo Panchev and strong field of players. The boys Sambodh Sinha also won their have had a very successful final county competitions and qualified and busy term. for the giga-final round of the Skinners’ won the Kent Junior Delancey UK Schools Chess Chess Association Secondary Challenge. Good luck to them. School Grand Prix. Luke Peters, Our final game this year was Harry Mannix, Lorcan Pritchard, a friendly against Sevenoaks Dmitry Belousov, Ben Barton School which was won by and Sambodh Sinha did a Skinners’. We look forward to fantastic job beating, amongst starting the new school year with others, St Olave’s who came our first competition at the ECF second and The Judd School who School Rapidplay at Eton College. finished third . Jacqui Charvat

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Old Skinner Interview

92 year old Gordon Cosstick is, we believe, the oldest remaining Old Skinner and the editorial team had the pleasure of interviewing him on his experience at the school. Mr Cosstick spent his school career as part of Hunt and received Senior Colours in 1944, the same year he left the school.

Who was the Headmaster How many pupils were there How were school lunches when during your time at the school? at Skinners’ when you were at you were here? Colonel W.R.G Bye. He was head the school? I lived locally so I used to eat at of the Home Guard here. There about 300 pupils, and about home, but they were pretty good. 30 to a class. And the casualties We used to have the Tuck Shop What sports did you play during the war affected this. where we could buy buns and at school? When I was here they had the cake. There was also a ‘British We had rugby of course and Officers’ Training Corps, where, Restaurant’ in Calverley Park, then cricket, with the old after you got your certificate from where you could get cheap food. pavilion before it burnt down. school, you would go straight into Some of the girls used to go We didn’t do any swimming. We the army as a Second Lieutenant. down there, so that made it a had sports day every year and I fairly attractive option! was a good sprinter. Due to the new 6th Form Centre and English classrooms What were the affects of Did you take part in music at all and Library, we’ve had to wartime on life at the school? when at the school? partially fill the previous bomb We had to suffer Colfe’s Grammar Music was my compulsion, it was shelters. Did you ever have to School from Lewisham coming the only thing I’m really gifted at. use them throughout your time to Skinners’ as part of the Piano was my main instrument at the school? evacuation process. The rugby but give me a few hours with any Yes, there were 3 of them. They games were murderous! instrument and I’ll play it! were named after the two statues at Guild Hall: Gog and Magog. Skinners’ has changed so much Do you have any memories And then the third was named through the years, so if you had of drama? Og. When the air raid sirens to pin down the biggest change We used to do Gilbert and went, we used to go down and what would it be? Sullivan operettas. We all used to we were supposed to carry on The new buildings. We only had dress up as girls! The organ was a with our lessons using hurricane the gymnasium and the armoury wonderful feature as it could turn lamps. But as you would guess, because we were very war- into the bridge of a ship. not much was learnt down there! orientated at the time.

Archie Barwick

www.skinners-school.co.uk 3 SKINNERS’ LIFE

Then and now – a student to teacher perspective

The editorial team decided to interview teachers who had previously been students at Skinners’, to get an idea about how the school has changed and developed and what has remained constant.

Teachers that you miss? Mrs Phyall was a great teacher – she taught me A Level English and her lessons were just amazing. It would feel like you weren’t really learning anything, you were just having a chat but it would all be going in. I do miss being taught by Mr Fleming too. He always used to keep us in our toes and I once had a whiteboard rubber hurled MR HARRY at my head, a great experience. MR STUART Another teacher that I miss is STRAW Mr Watts, an absolute legend of a MITCHELL PE teacher. The school – changes and The school – changes and constants: constants: How has your experience been Since I’ve left the school it’s got Tradition is exactly the same. with the transition from student bigger and much more diverse as Things such as tug-of-war at to teacher? well but, I think that the ‘Skinners’ sports day, standards cards, It took me a couple of months to Boy’ has stayed the same, with house colours in ties. All of these get to know everyone’s first names the same idea of community and things I’m not sure that you but I think that it must weirder teamwork: it’s almost tribal – I would experience outside of the think that this is one of the things for the other members staff who school. Even the new house has that makes the school great. taught me this school. They may the engrained tradition of the all have thought “Oh that Harry Straw other houses – else it wouldn’t School lunches – have they is a right little so-and-so” but now be Skinners’. The Leopard Song improved? suddenly I’m turning up in the staff is another thing that is engrained I think they have definitely room and I’m expected to be called into the fabric of the school. The improved. But when I was a by my first name and be treated ethos of the school to create the student, I used to only get a like a member of staff. Being called ‘gentlemen of the world’ will dessert and a Yazoo because I was “Sir” is weird; especially by people never change. big into manhunt and so I needed I don’t teach – it kind of strikes you to be a mobile-eater – needed to how polite they all are. All of the Do you think that the way be able to have lunch on-the-go. staff are just as good colleagues teaching or the way people learn However, when it got to 6th Form as they are teachers and I feel has changed? it was Manuel’s. Skinners’ boys like there is a really good support I think the way people learn has should be exploiting that more! network amongst themselves. changed, I think that the way

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teachers teach you has changed. the school. He was a big part of the We didn’t have Byng Hall The crux of the teaching hasn’t PE department and always about. meaning that we didn’t have drama changed, for example using Mr Bullen: I had him for a at the school, and you could only sarcasm and wit or making a joke form tutor in Years 9, 10 and take theatre studies at A Level. to relate to the boyish side of the 11 as well as going on World The Skinners’ boy is still from students. That hasn’t changed. Challenge with him so I got to a similar background. But when I But the use of resources and know him quite well. was at the school, there were no technology, making things relevant Mr Hardy: even though he smartphones so you wouldn’t find through the use of politics, that never taught me I got to know him people hanging around playing in has made learning different for the as a lot of my friends did science. their phones. This meant that you’d modern day. Mr Flower: he taught me find the majority of people playing A Level History. He would do sport in their free time whether this School lunches – have they anything he could for people to was football or bulldog. improved? do well and he made me do well I think they are very similar. But at History. Has the style/method of I never had them very often, teaching changed? unless I was dipping in for fish How has your experience been Now that I’ve ‘crossed over to and chips on a Friday and a roast with the transition from student the over side’ I’ve seen things on a Wednesday. It’s funny to to teacher? from a different perspective, I’ve me how for over 10 years the The first few weeks were weird, started to reflect on how I was as format of the school dinners hasn’t especially having to call Mr Kelso a student and I think that teaching changed – you can always count on by his first name! It’s interesting, has come on from when I was at a bolognese on a Monday, a curry getting used to you calling teachers school – you have a more rounded on a Tuesday as well as the roasts by their first names and everyone perspective as you have seen and fish. But then again, tradition, else calling you Sir, which is things from both sides of the it always comes back on aspects of definitely strange, initially. But it’s fence. Teaching methodology has the school as small as that. not actually as big a transition as definitely changed: I think that a lot you guys may think. more is done for all students. Has there been a change to sport? And I think that the way the I only had the new sports centre Have you ever called Mr Fleming students learn has changed as for 1 year, in which I played a hell by his first name? well. I know that at my time at of a lot of basketball. Since I’ve Yes, I have dared to call him by his the school, when I was doing my been back I’ve seen the new first name, on occasion! GCSEs and A levels, there was a astro turf and changes in the lot of copying from books or the equipment used up at Southfields. board; there is less of that now. The climbing wall, I never used MR SIMON In terms of the relationship it but I know that the boys love GOLDING between student and teacher has it. But I love the addition of the changed; mainly through the fact sports hall and know that in Years The school – changes and that we were always called by our 9 and 10 I would have been pining constants: surnames, whereas students are after it. But, looking back, we had The old school building obviously now usually on first name basis fun in our little sports hall, playing hasn’t changed and I think that from Year 7. dodgeball with Mr Watts – what it’s one of the things that gives more could you ask for?! Skinners’ the school its character and its Being an English teacher do is a sporting school and you can’t history – I think that is something you find that we’ve developed compete with other people unless that impresses all students. It’s from being a ‘science specialist you have something to bring the nice to see my own name in the school’ or were we even one in sportsmen in – which it has. wall, being RSM when I was at the first place? the school. I don’t think that we were. Teachers you miss? When I was here, there was However, being at a boys’ school Mr Watts: started at the same time no sports hall and in its place there is the tendency for boys to as us, we were his Year 7, so he there were tennis courts and a gravitate towards the maths and kind of saw us all the way through swimming pool. sciences. ›

www.skinners-school.co.uk 5 SKINNERS’ LIFE

› Do you see Mr Fleming as remember things that he taught never really crossed my mind that being part of the fabric of me and just moments in his I’d necessarily be in teaching. the school? lessons. I spent 10 years living in He is certainly a charismatic and Mrs Phyall was my English China, mainly teaching English to formidable character. I never teacher and I’ve been lucky enough adults in business settings and had the pleasure of being taught to have her mentoring me the last professional English. But when by him (or more like he never couple of years as well. I moved back to England, I kind had the pleasure of teaching The former headmaster, Mr of felt like I had to start again, so me!), which is a shame. But Braggins was a very measured, it may be fate perhaps that I’m through sport and laps around humane and gentle figure. You’d now here. Southfields he would come and be most likely to see him walking The initial transition was run with us. around the courtyard, picking up difficult, retraining as a secondary I think that he is very much litter and having a sense of care for school teacher, getting to know respected and appreciated by the school. the curriculum from the teacher’s the school because he does so perspective. It’s been easier this much for it. How did you find the student to year because I’ve got to know the teacher transition? students and it takes time for the From your time at Skinners’, I think that the main thing that students to trust you as a teacher, are there any teachers that differs between myself and then getting to know you as a person, you particularly miss? Mr Mitchell and Mr Straw, is as a teacher and your style. I was really sad to hear that the gap between leaving as a Once you start to develop a Mr Utting, one of my A level student and coming back as a reputation and start to be known history teachers, died because teacher. I never thought I would by the students, it gets a lot easier. he was a genuinely warm, be coming here, not because friendly, humorous guy. I still I didn’t want to but because it Archie Barwick

THE SKINNERS’ SCHOOL ALUMNI

CAMERON PLAYS FOR SCOTLAND

The school is delighted to hear that Cameron Relton, Class of 2017, was chosen to represent Scotland in this summer's European Dodgeball championship. Clearly, all those years of practice in the Sports Hall have paid off!

HUNT IN GHANA The school celebrated the awarding of another international rugby cap this year. Will Hunt, Class of 2011, recently represented Ghana in an African Cup international against Cameroon. Will has been living in Ghana for the last four years working on a variety of sustainability projects.

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New staff interviews

Q. What have you noticed about Skinners’ students that varies from other schools? A. Skinners’ students have fierce tenacity to learn and to do incredibly well academically and it means a teacher is able play off that and to work at the highest level and I have had that at other schools but not to the same degree.

DR ANDREW Q. How have you found settling MR DAVID into Skinners’ and what is your BEBB favourite thing thus far? CROTHERS A. My favourite thing is the ethos and there is no school that I Factfile have been involved with that Factfile has the sense of school spirit Favourite film? and history that Skinners’ has. Favourite film? 1950’s version of I have loved being a part of Love Actually – seen it over The Time Machine that and it’s incredibly friendly 20 times! Favourite food? and challenging in a good way. Favourite food? It was steak but I’m a Pizza – I could literally eat Q. What do you feel homework’s vegetarian now a BBQ chicken Papa John’s role in a school environment Favourite drink? should be? pizza every night of the I like Jerome’s A. Homework is one part of the week home-grown beer three essentials to teaching Favourite drink? and it can be split into two Favourite place to visit? Alcoholic I would go with parts. One with independent Village of Masca in Tenerife a white wine and non- study where the individual alcoholic drink has to be addresses their strengths an ice-cold diet coke with Interview and weaknesses and errors and the other where you are lemon Q. What is your role as a teacher completing some exercises Favourite song? and what should students get where you are getting better At the moment Me by out of your lessons? and faster at something. Taylor Swift A. At a school like Skinners’, my role is more of a coach. It’s Q.  If there was one thing you about helping students find could change about Skinners’, Interview a passion for the subject and what would it be? helping them figure out what A. My previous school was very Q. What should your role as a they need to do in order to much an online school where teacher be and what should master a specific skill and everything was done through students get out of your leading them through the Google which had many lesson? world of either GCSE or A level advantages and although it A. I think with my subject there’s to the point where they are isn’t the solution to everything a lot of responsibility for me to competent physicists. I do miss some of its benefits. make sure that the students ›

www.skinners-school.co.uk 7 SKINNERS’ LIFE

› get the grades they need at school for three months but I A. They should take away a A level so then they can felt as if I had been here three love of physics and a love of progress onto university or years and I definitely feel I learning as it’s not all about wherever that may be after have settled in very well. I have physics! It’s about broadening school. As well I’m very much built good rapport with the your knowledge and also about the holistic development pupils and my colleagues and I about finding out what you of the pupil and watching them like to think I’m well respected can and can’t do. develop not just academically by the students. but socially, mentally, Q. How have you found settling emotionally as well. into Skinners’? A. I went in quite hard at the Q. Have you noticed any beginning and wasn’t sure differences in Skinners’ where to pitch everything but in terms of teaching style it was quite easy to settle and the students you have into things and everyone worked with? has been very nice and the A. I think the pupils at Skinners’ students are very good. are very academic which suits my style of teaching. I think Q. Have you noticed any the Skinners’ students also differences between Skinners’ work very hard and enjoy pupils and other students you learning which for me is half have worked with? the battle of being a teacher. A. Generally students want to Some Skinners’ boys like the MRS JAYNA know stuff so the drive towards old fashioned and traditional learning is already there and so method of teaching but they MARSH it’s not really a case of us trying do like to see things jazzed up to force you to learn stuff which every now and then to keep Factfile is refreshing! them engaged. Favourite film? Q. What do you feel homework’s Q. What is your view on Iron Man is up there role in a school environment homework? although Endgame could should be? A. I’ve done a lot of reading and take over and the girly A. My opinion on homework research round the benefits side of me wants to say is that it should be about of homework and personally Dirty Dancing consolidation over what you I don’t see the benefits so have already done in class and my KS3 and KS4 don’t get Favourite food? should be about reviewing homework from me but once Salmon sushi what you have already. It is in a blue moon they may need Favourite drink? not about doing two hours’ to finish something off at worth of work, it is about the Builder’s tea home that we started in class. quality. It usually involves me My sixth formers receive a Favourite song? saying “we have just learnt different style of homework The Greatest Showman this”, reinforce it and I will test where I set them preparation soundtrack is on my playlist you next lesson. work for the next lesson and at the moment they will know what I am Q. If there was one thing you talking about! could change about Skinners’ Interview what would it be? Q. How have you found settling A. It would be nice for all into Skinners’? Q. What should your role as a students to come prepared A. I think by the end of the teacher be and what should for the lesson so I don’t have second term or the Christmas students get out of your to give things out like rulers holidays I had been at the lesson? every lesson!

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Interview Q. What’s your view on homework? Q. What should your role as a A. Homework is an important part teacher be and what should of what we offer. It needs to students get out of your be in support of what we do lesson? in the classroom and needs A. A love for the subject. I to be relevant. It’s a really want them to have a greater useful opportunity to develop understanding of the world independent study skills which and their place within it and class work isn’t as effective as. obviously to get good grades! The more we can encourage And that comes from an independent learning further enjoyment and engagement down the school the better. MR MICHAEL of the subject. Q. If you could change one thing STEPHENSON Q. Have you noticed any about the typical Skinners’ differences between pupil? Factfile Skinners’ pupils and other A. That’s a tough one! Sometimes students you have worked they can be a little bit over Favourite film? with? confident and complacent. Some Like It Hot A. I taught previously in a non- Favourite food? selective school and there have been some differences Singaporean street food there. Generally the student Favourite drink? body is enthusiastic and Beer proud to be a member of the Skinners’ community. There is Favourite place to visit? a positive and fun atmosphere New Zealand as well as being academic.

WE TOOK TIME TO INTERVIEW FERGUS MCINTOSH ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE AS A GAP STUDENT OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS

Q. What is your favourite memory Q. If you could put Skinners’ into Factfile of your time at Skinners’? one sentence what would it be? Favourite film? A. The first rugby team beating A. Sentiment is more than skill. Home Alone Judd in October. Q. If you could put the Favourite food? Q. What’s the biggest change experiences of the last year Fillet steak, medium, with from being a pupil to a into one sentence what would chunky chips member of staff? it be? Favourite drink? A. How everyone treats you. You A. Really fun, varied and always Harveys or an aromatic haven’t changed, yet everyone different. white wine treats you differently. And you get bigger portions at lunch! Q. What is the biggest thing you Favourite subject? will miss about Skinners’? Politics A. The people. So, I’ll be back! Wendy Dray

www.skinners-school.co.uk 9 SKINNERS’ LIFE

Staff farewells

Zealand, returned to finish the love of music. Mr Hendry year. Fergus has been a tour de himself notes that no-one in his force as attendance officer, cover experience comes close to the supervisor, devoted and expert expertise, commitment and good supporter of sport, DofE, Model humour that Jackie has provided United Nations and general guru in the classroom, in extra- to sixth formers and frankly curricular music and on trips. Nor anyone else prepared to listen to would dozens of performances him (that includes me). Fergus have had a bassoonist to add a leaves us to read Politics and touch of class. Throughout this International Relations at Bristol era, the Music block has been University in September. a refuge for many students and a key reason is Jackie. She is DAN JAWORKSI has worked at RUTH TONKIN has worked welcoming, empathetic and Skinners’ since January, firstly twice at Skinners’. She joined unconditional in her support. as a Chemistry technician and the school in 2007 and worked Thank you Jackie for sticking up more recently as reprographics here for three years before being for music and musicians. assistant and cover supervisor. appointed as Head of Chemistry Two years prior to Jackie’s He is incredibly efficient and took at Cranbrook School. Her second arrival at Skinners’, JOHN to any challenge unbelievably spell here, since 2016 has seen HENDRY joined the school quickly. We are very grateful to her teach with characteristic as Director of Music. He had Dan for stepping into the breach at rigour, expertise and authority previously worked at a range of short notice and being such good and we are much richer for schools, including as Director company. Dan is off to Bristol to her returning here. She is the of Music at the Boys’ Grammar. read Physics in September. epitome of low maintenance as Music touches all of our lives a member of staff, just getting on a weekly basis at the school. JAMES COMER has been on with the job and focusing on Leading a whole school’s music our Chemistry technician this her charges in the classroom. The is no easy task, and John has year, again slotting into the Tonkin family is now relocating to done that with aplomb, little fuss role with quiet efficiency but Salisbury and it did not surprise and enormous commitment. real expertise, the product I me soon after that decision had But it is in the department itself suspect of a first class degree in been taken to hear that she had that John’s real leadership and Chemistry from Durham. He is been appointed as a Chemistry innovation has come to the now mid-application for graduate teacher at Bishop Wordsworth’s fore. Generations of Skinners’ employment in the Civil Service. Grammar School. We wish Ruth boys owe a debt of gratitude every happiness in Salisbury, both for what he has done for them ANTHONY STORKEY left us in professionally and in moving west and the scale of the role he June to go travelling in the Far with her family. has undertaken almost single- East at the end of a superb year as handedly is really impressive. 14 gap student. His rugby teams will JACKIE HENDRY joined Skinners’ visiting music staff have been have particularly appreciated his in September 2004 to teach handled with care and sensitivity. combination of care and drive that music. She has always worked The range of orchestras, swing pushed them to greater things part-time here but has given bands, choirs and ensembles week on week. Anthony is off to so much more than that notion seems an impossible amount. Cardiff to read Geography in the might imply. As part of Team Concerts have been wonderful: autumn. Hendry she has not just held focused on the boys involved FERGUS MCINTOSH, having music at Skinners’ together over but compered with great himself left us at Easter to go the years but grown it through humour by Mr Hendry. Trips to travelling in Australia and New hard work and a transparent different corners of England and

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A LIFETIME that is definitely my proudest and Year 13s playing in the moment. To the extent that same group is something I DEVOTED TO someone who was in that delight in. MUSIC: production emailed me the other day all about his strong Q. If you could put what music JOHN HENDRY memories. means to you into one sentence what would it be? Q. What’s the biggest thing that A. It’s everything, it’s my life. Factfile has changed in the school to It was strange in a way that you? neither of my parents were Favourite film? A. The biggest change for us is musical or strong players Close Encounters of the getting the macs as it allows but really since Jackie (Mrs Third Kind for such a better form of Hendry) and I met through Favourite food? teaching and the students music, as we were in the same I’m definitely a curry man benefit more from them as a youth orchestra. So we have result. It was quite ironic that known each other for 48 years, Favourite drink? the week after I told the Head so music is really everything. Definitely a malt whisky I was going to leave, I was told I can’t tell you which music I Favourite song? I had £40,000 to spend. So prefer, there are good and bad A jazz song called Little that was an interesting one. versions of every style. But initially music used to be Darlin by Cam Basey done in what is now the senior Q. What is the biggest thing you art room, so a gigantic change will miss about Skinners’? Interview was made when we first came A. I think it is what I said before. into our new classrooms. The fact that people take Q. What is your favourite memory care of each other. There’s a of Skinners’? Q. If you could put Skinners’ good feeling, there’s a good A. The production we are most music into one sentence what vibe so people feel the Music proud of is when we did Les would it be? department is a safe place to be. Misérables as a full school A. I think it’s the care that the version. It nearly killed me boys take of each other and because I did everything. But the fact we can have Year 7s Billy Marsden

› to the Albert Hall, to cite a few theatre outings. For many years examples, have been memorable. he also ran a popular sixth form Our thanks to John for all he has film club. Terry is a man with a done at Skinners’. very sharp Economics brain but also a passion for many other TERRY WALSH is retiring after areas of academic interest. My a very long and distinguished conversations with him have career at the school. Terry joined ranged from macroeconomics the school in September 1989, through many eras of world so has reached a magnificent 30 history, to his career before years’ service. He was Head of Skinners’ as a dramatist and Economics for 25 of those years. teacher in Ireland and then He has been an Lesotho in southern Africa, SARAH LOWE was bid a fond A level examiner, has represented and even to his account of a farewell, only to return as SARAH the staff as a school governor Fleetwood Mac concert in Berlin MEPHAM having married and has taken students on just a few weeks ago. We wish fiancé Tom during the summer many visits and trips, including him a very happy retirement. holidays. We wish them a long residential history trips to and happy life together. Florence and several evening Ed Wesson

www.skinners-school.co.uk 11 SKINNERS’ LIFE

A word from the Chair of the Parents’ Association…

The Strictly Glitter Ball – the latest PTA event

For the last six years I have held Hall, a flight simulator for the CCF, For the year ended the position of Chair of the PA a number of IT projects throughout 30th April 2019 the PA with the help and support from the school and most recently raised £32,664 which was a great committee of mums helping towards the new building. £2,029 more than the and dads. We have established The latest event which was held a number of fundraising events at the end of June in the school previous year. which go from strength to dining hall, was the Strictly Glitter The main fundraising events strength each year. These include Ball which raised in excess of were: a Summer Ball, Christmas Fair, £7,500. • Christmas Fayre – £11,269 a number of non-uniform days As my son has now just finished throughout the year and an upper sixth, I have now passed • Spanish Fiesta Party – £4,105 annual quiz night. on the role of PA Chair to Brenda • Quiz night – £1,436 With the support of the parents Purse from September 2019. • Club 200 – £2,957 at the school we have raised over £100,000 in the last few years. Nicky Tebay • Non-uniform days – £7,630 This has contributed towards a PA Chair 2013-2019 (figure includes gift aid that will school minibus, the new Sports be claimed).

PRIZE WINNER SIXTH FORM

Brodie Brown Year 8 receives second prize in the National Geographic Physical Geography photo of the year competition for his portrayal of The University Challenge team after their victory over High Rocks. Judd and Tonbridge in the inaugural competition in March

12 www.skinners-school.co.uk the LEOPARD 2018-19

SCHOOL VISITS

Below: Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Industry, with Sixth Form Politics students, March 2019

Above: Lord Adonis speaks to the Sixth Form about the Brexit process, March 2019 Below: Major-General John Moore-Bick, former Chair- man of Governors and High Sheriff of East Sussex, with Year 7 pupils, February 2019

Proud to be main contractor for the new Skinners’ School Humanities Building

www.bbsconstruction.co.uk

www.skinners-school.co.uk 13 SKINNERS’ LIFE

Remembrance Sunday

Above: CCF marching in Tunbridge Wells, Remembrance Sunday 2018 Below left: Rob Godman with Ken Washer: Centre: Officers Below right : WW1 silhouettes, November 2018

Squadron Leader Rob Godman, who leads our RAF section, met Ken Washer at Blackham Church on Remembrance Sunday. Mr Washer was parachuted into Arnhem in the first wave in 1944, and managed to survive the carnage that followed. He has been featured in more than one published book about his involvement in Operation Market Garden in Arnhem. “A wonderful man, and I am hugely proud to have had the opportunity to talk to him.”

The School’s Remembrance Service

14 www.skinners-school.co.uk the LEOPARD 2018-19

Skinners’ boys and other animals

Being ranked as one of the top parrot owl native to New Zealand, schools in the local area, if not it’s hard to not learn about the the country, you would expect males’ clearly desperate attempts Head boy Dan Johnston on his Skinners’ to be filled with to get some action, although for last day at Skinners', with his insightful, inspiring students them I think in this situation less father, the Bursar. who strive to do their best. is probably more. After making Academically I would a clearing on the floor, to find the worst diet you again say we are and we the male will perform must go back to the Kakapo, do, but in terms and try to attract whose favourite food is a berry that of common nearby ladies with a only grows every four years. sense there is deep booming call. One quality we cannot claim a definite drop off, Unfortunately for them to share with other animals is with students being this call is such that it cleanliness. I would persuaded that polar bears have echoes all around, thus making it have thought most transparent fur, by the Head of nearly impossible for the female Sixth Formers Geography – definitely someone to track down said male. would be able to not to go to for reliable biology Luckily for us what wash their clothes, trivia. It is clear that what we we share with the but apparently not. gain over our seven years here wild does extend One was found trying in intelligence eats away at our beyond the to wash his clothes in a ability to think rationally. aforementioned. dishwasher, which explains With A levels fast approaching The key to a man’s his arrival for a rugby match I would like to say that I’m fully heart is often food. dressed in simply pyjamas. focused on my subjects, with no Some people really Even though he is predicted space in my mind for anything else. do eat anything. four A*s at A level, I struggle to Sadly, that’s somewhat far from the Whether it consists of believe he’s quite ready for the truth. Recently, as I’m sure fellow a chunk of gammon for independence of uni life at the procrastinators will sympathise breakfast or a Kit-Kat and cheese moment. The common sloth on with, I’ve had powerful urges to sandwich, it must be said the the other hand is definitely ready. research the weird and wonderful snacks consumed here leave much They are so hygienic that even in the world around us, because to be desired nutritionally. This is though they spend most of their who knows when the proportion of perfectly mirrored by the Koala. time sleeping on tree branches, Koalas with Chlamydia will come They’re known by most for being they never defecate up there. in useful (90%, by the way). cute and cuddly, but I see them They will make a trip to the floor Perhaps the most alarming as rather dumb animals. Their once a week to do their business. similarity between Skinners’ snack of choice is a eucalyptus Don’t let that make you think the boys and the, for want of leaf. You couldn’t be blamed for sloth is better than us though: our a better phrase, thinking that this is a good choice, evolution has given us something more mentally considering their habitat. Although over the three-toed oddities. I challenged it’s not common knowledge that may be slightly biased here but of the world’s eucalyptus has approximately Skinners’ could definitely forests, is their the nutritional value of cardboard. claim to have one of the attempts to impress They don’t stop there though: on top climbing teams girls. Firstly, when top of this Koalas still struggle to around, so good we reading about recognise eucalyptus which leaves could teach the the Kakapo, a them starving to death. Although, sloths a few tricks. ›

www.skinners-school.co.uk 15 SKINNERS’ LIFE

Especially as sometimes when they Who knows if they Former who until recently climb they confuse their own limbs genuinely believe this is the didn’t know what a for tree branches and thus fall to best way to catch fish or in fact skyscraper was. their death. they are simply trying to define Looking at the future Another animal which seems themselves in this world. A for the now departing to struggle to utilise all of its body similar question you could Upper Sixth it’s clear to see that is the flamingo. Like ourselves, ask yourself about the we’re a diverse group, with people they are blessed with two legs. A level geographer who asked heading off to study everything However, they prefer to make use “Is ebola a country in Africa?” from Medicine to Journalism, of only one in most circumstances. and the A level biologist who was from Philosophy to Architecture, This even extends to when they convinced that dragons were real. in places ranging from here in sleep, drink or even fish. If you Looking forward, our prospects Kent to America. That diversity is have ever watched a flamingo are high – shown by an ex-Skinner testament to the high standard of attempt the latter you will know who recently visited us as the teaching we have here at Skinners’, that they love to add any challenge CFO of McLaren. However, if across all the subjects. I want to to their life that they can. Whilst we follow the housing habits of take this opportunity to thank all balancing on one leg, they spin the Lilac Breasted Roller, aptly the staff here, on behalf of my their head upside down and try to named as they often roll out of year group, for the opportunities catch fish in their then upside down their nests, again sadly to their and experiences we have received beak. As their eyes, like many deaths, then I think our years here over the past seven years. With a other animals are above their beak, are limited. They have an undying special thank you to Mr Fleming when they put their head upside attraction towards tall perches and Mr Coltella for the countless down in the water it means that even if it means choosing a place hours of help and support they their eyes are underwater leading with practically non-existent have given us. to them hardly being able to see nesting sites. Something not quite the fish they are trying to catch. understood by one Upper Sixth Dan Johnston

“…Bell Phillips does it as it should be, focusing on the quality of light, the flexible organisation of space, and an appropriate balance of public and private spaces”

Icon Magazine

“It’s such a pleasure to experience outstanding architecture based on human values, a sensitive understanding of materials and detailing.”

Alex Lifschutz, N e w L o n d o n Q u a r t e r l y

16 www.skinners-school.co.uk the LEOPARD 2018-19

Skinners’ Day 2018

Larry Hardcastle (President of the Old Skinners’ Society), Johnny Aisher (Chairman of Governors), Lord Lisvane (Master of the Skinners’ Company)

Inset: Tom South (Hunt) receives the Scott-Dennington Shield for the winning house

›

www.skinners-school.co.uk 17 SKINNERS’ LIFE

› Lower School Prize Giving

Left: Mark Wood, Polar Explorer, who spoke brilliantly about his career and the future of our benighted planet

Below: The Swing Band await their turn

Preparing to sing the Leopard Song: breathe!

18 www.skinners-school.co.uk the LEOPARD 2018-19

Lower School Prize Winners 2019

Year 7 Art Prize Joshua Leake Year 8 Art Prize Joshua White Year 7 Drama Prize Seth Williams Year 8 Drama Prize Alexander Mainds Year 7 English Prize Jayden Osew Year 8 English Prize Owen Watts Year 7 French Prize Ben Romanis Year 8 French Prize Samuel John Year 7 Geography Prize Louis Drinkwater Year 8 Geography Prize Edward Ward Year 7 German Prize Madhav Suraj Year 8 German Prize Roberto Riolo Year 7 History Prize Otto Hall Year 8 History Prize W’dron Kundu Year 7 Maths Prize Aidan Cornell Year 8 Maths Prize Charlie Sullivan Year 7 Music Prize Daniel Taylor Year 8 Music Prize Max Fineman Year 7 Physical Education Prize Louis Drinkwater Year 8 Physical Education Prize Sooraj Cholleti Year 7 Science Prize Daniel Warner Year 8 Science Prize Aaron D’Souza Year 7 STEAM Prize Edward Wheatley Year 8 STEAM Prize Max Fineman Year 7 Religious Education Prize Nathanael Green Year 8 Religious Education Prize Xander Waters 7A Form Prize Seth Williams 8A Form Prize Samuel Sherwood 7H Form Prize Sonny Madams 8H Form Prize Zaheer Taher 7K Form Prize Aidan Cornell 8K Form Prize Benjamin Watson 7N Form Prize Ethan Jones 8N Form Prize Alexander Evans 7S Form Prize Toby Weait 8S Form Prize Evan James

Year 9 Art Prize Josh Van Heerden Year 10 Art Prize Conor McIntosh Year 9 Biology Prize Maxime Desbrousses Year 10 Biology Prize Joachim Price Year 9 Chemistry Prize Jake Wright Year 10 Chemistry Prize Daniel Fidler Year 9 Drama Prize Joshua Taylor Year 10 Computing Prize Alexander Wright Year 9 English Prize Charles Rae-Moore Year 10 Drama Prize Keir Swift Year 9 French Prize Luke Peters Year 10 DT Prize Elliot Mulley Year 9 Geography Prize Zac Austin Year 10 Economics Prize Matthew Taylor Year 9 German Prize Jack Stubbs Year 10 English Prize Thomas Evans Year 9 History Prize Samuel Bolton Year 10 French Prize Marcus Budack Year 9 Maths Prize Frederick Reid Year 10 Geography Prize Theo Hughes-Wilson Year 9 Music Prize Noah Featherstone-Csillag Year 10 German Prize James Middleton Year 9 Physical Education Prize George Burgess Year 10 History Prize Thomas Dunnett Year 9 Physics Prize David Zou Year 10 Maths Prize Matthew Romanis Year 9 STEM Prize Maxime Desbrousses Year 10 Music Prize Luca Swinnerton Year 9 Religious Education Prize George Thomas Year 10 Physical Education Prize Matthew Coomber 9B Form Prize Samuel Bolton Year 10 Physics Prize James Quill 9G Form Prize Michael Lake Year 10 Religious Education Prize Reuben Penn 9R Form Prize Luka Crowcroft 10-1 Form Prize Thomas McConnell 9W Form Prize Joshua Taylor 10-2 Form Prize Xavier Lake 9Y Form Prize Monty Cunliffe 10-3 Form Prize Oscar Chatfield 10-4 Form Prize Mitchell Day 10-5 Form Prize Joachim Price 10-6 Form Prize Benjamin Barton

The Carnegie Challenge Cup (KS3) Owen Watts The Ashman Prize for extra-curricular STEM Matthew Wordsworth L.S. Betts Shield (Yr 7-9) Daniel Barr Junior Knox Trophy Jonathan Butler

www.skinners-school.co.uk 19 SKINNERS’ LIFE

Skinners’ Day 2019

Millwood Designer Homes Prize Winners

20 www.skinners-school.co.uk the LEOPARD 2018-19

Prize List 2019

The Shelton-Agar Memorial Prize for The Millwood Designer Homes Prize for Middle School Art Horatio Blackman Excellence in Middle School Design Alexander Giles The Phillips’ Prize for Music Sam Fineman The Middle School Economics Prize Matthew Bonin The Tim Arthur Trophy for GCSE Drama Sam Fineman The Nicholson Prize for Middle School Biology Luke Heatherwick The Sydney Belcher Prize for The Nicholson Prize for Middle School Chemistry James Harle Middle School Geography Tancrede Ollivier de Saint Aignan The Nicholson Prize for Middle School Physics Joshua Butler The Whitehead Prize for History Dominic Burns The Middle School Prize for The Middle School Mathematics Prize Scott Hall Religious Education Thomas Concannon The Parents’ Association Prize for Middle The Wilfred Stevens’ Cup for Cricket Robert Braidwood School English Thomas Forsdick The Old Skinners’ Society’s Prize for Rugby Daniel Newman The Roger Page Memorial Prize for French Callum Randolph The Old Skinners’ Society’s Prize for Hockey Robert Braidwood The Roger Page Memorial Prize for German Sam Fineman The Simon Hobson Memorial Prize Toby Pallas The GW Taylor Prize for Middle School The Secondary School Prize James Hodges ICT & Computing Matthew Bonin The Utting Cup for Outstanding Performance at GCSE Asher Beckett

Year 11 GCSE Prizes Asher Beckett, Matthew Bonin, Joshua Butler, James Challingsworth, Matt Clare, Benjamin Dufty, Sam Fineman, Scott Hall, James Harle, Daniel Heatherwick, Thomas Hill, Thomas Ingham, Oliver O’Leary, Will Opie, Nyal Patel, Mathys Potel, Marcos Purse, Callum Randolph, Ethan Roberts, JJ Rose, Reuben Saunders

Drivers Jonas Leaving Prizes Owen Cantwell-Kelly, Benjamin Chapman, Will Colyer, Alfie Cubberley, Vishnuviraj Dhir, Joshua Dixon, Thomas Donno, Finlay Gordon, William Holmes, Matthew Horlock, Joshua Hughes, Thomas James, Matthew Jennings, Adam Kayyali, David Lawrence, Charles Lethaby, Oleg Lyakh, Charles MacDonald-Gay, Jack Palmer, Oliver Peach, Filip Raffelt, Henry Sikorski, Hugh Simmons, Ethan Smith

The Isabel Brittain Memorial The Sidney Chamberlain Prize for Prize for Senior School Art Max Messer Religious Education Vishnuviraj Dhir The Old Skinners’ Society’s Music Prize Jack Bensted The Benedict McGrath CCF Leadership Award Oliver Peach The Whittome Prize for Theatre Studies Freddie Sard The Sumnall Shooting Cup Nathan Blaker The James Dean Award for Contributions The David Lloyd Roberts Memorial Prize Edwin Sims to Technical Theatre Daniel Maxted The Old Skinners’ Society’s Prize for Senior The Palmer Prize for Geography James Stoney Rugby and G. Collins Cap for Senior Rugby Benjamin Chapman The Le Jeune Prize for History Jay Smalley The Cyril Lane Prize and G. Collins Cap The Senior Mathematics Prize Samuel Richards for Senior Hockey Oscar Brown The Fox Prize for Economics Matthew Roberts The David West Cricket Award and G. Collins Cap for Cricket Charles MacDonald-Gay The Senior School Prize for Government and Politics Charles Lethaby The Collins Prize for Athletics David Fullbrook The David Thomson Prize for English Literature Jacob Turner The Harvard Prize Pierre Lefebvre Du Prey The Waring Prize for French James Stoney Owen Carey Shield for Extra-curricular STEM Alexander Giles The John Wallace Prize for German Jay Smalley The Peter Snagge Memorial Trophy Charlie Reed The GW Taylor Prize for Senior Computing Nathan Blaker The Beadle’s Prize Daniel Johnston The Millwood Cup for Senior Design Jack Palmer The Malcolm Blackwell Award Alfie Barclay The Aldwinckle Prize for Engineering David Lawrence The Daniel Hughes Memorial Prize Alfie Read-Fulcher The Senior School Biology Prize Filip Raffelt The Peter Braggins Prize Jack Sambrook The Holding Prize for Chemistry Finlay Gordon Centenary Prize David Fullbrook The Senior School Physics Prize Oliver Daniels Senior Knox Trophy Daniel Johnston The Hunt and Atwell Leaving Exhibition Samuel Richards

Sixth Form ‘A’ Level GCE Prizes Semih Altinpinar, Thomas Barham, Jack Borrett, Alex Bush, Kazimierz Bzikot, Will Colyer, Alfie Cubberley, Oliver Daniels, Thomas Donno, Albert Fones, David Fullbrook, Alexander Galpin, Finlay Gordon, Harry Green, Samuel Harrison, Jamie Hood, Samuel Hughes, Daniel Johnston, Hugh Jones, David Lawrence, Charles Lethaby, Joshua Linsey, Jed Llamas, Arthur Ollivier de Saint Aignan, Thomas Parker, Oliver Portch, Sam Ray, Alistair Reed, Charlie Reed, Samuel Richards, Dominic Rigby, Matthew Roberts, Jake Rule, William Shoosmith, Hugh Simmons, Tod Skinner, Ethan Smith, Thomas South, George Spice, James Stoney, Luca Tonelli, Jacob Turner, William Tweedy, Oliver Welbourn

www.skinners-school.co.uk 21 THE ARTS – MUSIC

A life in the year of the music department

September nevertheless we got a good and contribution of The Chicken. Skinners’ Day at Tunbridge appreciative audience coming Senior Orchestra provided a Wells Assembly Hall through. After a super tour of splendid finale with Mussorgsky’s Theatre the facility and a lot of trying out Night on a Bare Mountain. the RNLI all weather emergency Our first gig of the year – and gear, the coxswain of the boat amazingly early in the term to get December presented us with a framed photo the orchestra ready for playing Senior Choir at the Royal of the boat and crew in action. to our largest school audience. Albert Hall Leopards and the National On the Sunday we did a show for Twenty or so representatives the Royal British Legion home in Anthem of course and some of the Senior Choir, having Cromer – a lovely place to perform Bizet from the L’Arlesienne suite. rehearsed Handel’s Messiah in and, again, a warm response. Seemed to be well received. since September, took part in a Youth Messiah in the superb September November space of the Royal Albert Hall. Norfolk music St Cecilia’s Day concert We were gratified to receive this tour departs This really is an opportunity email from the organisers: “We (indeed it is an expectation) for The selected Year 8 and 9 from were so pleased to have your all the groups that we regularly the Junior Orchestra had to leave fantastic tenors and basses join straight after Skinners’ Day, but we rehearse to show off what us…” Probably just as pleasing had an amazingly smooth M25, they’ve achieved since the start of on the day was the remark by the M11 (McDonald’s) experience term. These are our regular extra- hard-bitten timpani player of the getting up to Overstrand Hall (near curricular groups: RPO commenting “you lot are Cromer) as planned. Activities over awesome – best we’ve ever had the weekend included high ropes, Mon 12.55 Snr. Choir behind us.” climbing wall, problem solving and Mon 3.45 Snr. Orchestra two concerts. The first was for Tu e 8.40 Wind Quintet Thursday the RNLI in the lifeboat house on Tu e 12.55 Jnr. Orchestra 13th December Cromer Pier – quite an acoustic Tu e 12.55 Jnr. Swing Band Christmas lunch to play in. Very sadly the lifeboat The Junior Orchestra – lots of Wed 8.40 String Group itself had departed the previous them – providing Tafelmusik day for emergency repairs but Wed 12.55 Jnr. Choir during turkey & trimmings for the Thu 8.40 Interm. Swing start of the Christmas festivities. Thu 12.55 Big Band Thoroughly enjoyed by all. Fri 12.55 Barbershop/Choir December Ten groups between them make Carol Service at St Luke’s a very full programme on their Church, Tunbridge Wells own – and some impressive Wind quintet on exceptional form performing on offer. We were performing as the congregation particularly pleased with the arrived. A mixture of C20th wind quintet’s handling of French [Willcocks], medieval (Boars Head bi-tonality in Darius Milhaud’s Carol) and C19th (In dulci jubilo) – La Chasse and the Senior Jazz as always very much a traditional

22 www.skinners-school.co.uk the LEOPARD 2018-19

Nine Lessons and Carols format – to Grade 7; a surprisingly large fun with Stompin’ and Funky Junior and Senior Choir sounding number of pianists on this Music and the Senior Orchestra splendid in the intimate acoustic occasion and sessions from Junior were particularly strong in the of St Luke’s – Senior Orchestra Swing Band and Junior Orchestra. 1st movement of Schubert’s 3rd supporting the congregational Junior Choir made a fine job of a symphony. singing. Good to have the two Greatest Showman Medley. As always this concert flute obligato for the Star Carol featured farewells to leaving – and of course Barbershop March U6th musicians. Jack nonsense afterwards. Romeo and Juliet – Bensted, Andrew Bonnick, Prokofiev at ROH Hugh Simmons, Jake Rule, Matt Roberts, Tom South We were lucky enough in a ballot all contributed to items in to get 22 seats in the Royal Opera the concert and all have over House stalls for a performance the years given much to the of Prokofiev’s landmark ballet department’s extra-curricular Romeo and Juliet, so we took a work, many of them performing party ranging from Years 9 – 12 with multiple groups. A heartfelt and it is true to say that all were personal thank you to them all. wowed by the experience. The building itself and the whole atmosphere are of course something else, but all were completely gripped by the ballet – and particularly by the elements of mime this particular production February uses. The orchestra of 85 and the GCSE and A level recital power of the music “took it all to This event is essentially a a new level” to quote one of our dress rehearsal for public exam Year 11s. candidates’ performance offerings – and it is always revealing. This April The Hunters perform at year, as so often, revealing just as Summer Concert Speldhurst Fete, 22 June 2019 much for the surprise ‘dark horse’ Our dining hall Summer Serenade fine performers as for those who was early this year because July definitely need to do a bit more in the school calendar is so hard June polishing. But actually twenty to find dates that suit all our Junior Groups or so very comfortable offerings performers – café style, grab at the Dairy and again the Wind Quartet a a drink on the way in, standing Literally crossing the road to the highlight. A really supportive room only. I think it’s popular. new ‘Senior Living’ built on the audience at this – and it felt Senior Choir had clearly learned site of the old United Dairies great in the upstairs space of the much from the RAH experience – building was a valuable trip out Recital Room. excellent four part close harmony for our Year 7 & 8 groups. I do from them in classics from the wish we had a photo of them March American songbook, and then all crossing St John’s Road with Junior concert tight playing from the string stands, instruments etc. They Always a full house for this one ensemble in some challenging acquitted themselves well with (it’s a shame that so often senior Vivaldi. Barbershop went for orchestra, band and choir all boys dissuade their parents from some more recent repertoire than doing short sets. Particularly coming to hear them; at junior the usual and were spectacular impressive also in their rapport level the support is always there). in Bohemian Rhapsody and with the elderly audience – those We had about twenty solo Sam Fineman’s re-working of who’d been on the Norfolk trip items, inevitably short at this Shakira. Senior Jazz (with lots of course had experience of that level, but ranging from beginners of leaving U6th in it) had great sort of situation. ›

www.skinners-school.co.uk 23 THE ARTS – MUSIC

› The home manager said we lovely words to us from the Head Over the years I’ve had “could come over every week: and the boys. a number of class teachers it was so different to have working with me in various instrumentalists, and secondary As retirement arrives I want schools, but none comes close to boys”. to pay tribute to all the Music the expertise, commitment and Staff who have helped me make good humour that Mrs Hendry July music happen in this school. Our has provided in classroom, extra- Chamber concert Visiting Music Staff (fourteen curricular and on trips. So many Final concert of the year – again of them at present) do a superb initiatives have been sparked using The Recital Room. Final job for us, of course providing by her, so many events would concert for the Senior Hendrys copious exam successes in not have happened without her too; so an emotional one. Year ABRSM, Trinity and Rock School input, so many dramas would 10 and Lower 6th to the fore in exams, but also awakening have turned into a crisis, so many this recital – both year groups parts of our brains we may not performances would not have showing how they’ve grown as otherwise use. The co-ordination, had a bassoon (!!); the list could performers during this year, with interpersonal skills, intellectual continue. The amount of time some mature performances. All refinement and sheer hard work she has given has been legendry players seemed to revel in the music requires is fostered by – we could not have grown as a super acoustic of the Recital them in a very special way. They department without that. Room. A lovely conclusion for have been amazing colleagues to Jackie and me ….. and some have supported me. John Hendry

HENDRY’S FINAL CONCERT

24 www.skinners-school.co.uk THE ARTS – the ART & LEOPARD 2018-19 DESIGN

A Year of Art

YEAR 10 First stop was Eastbourne initiated new approaches to where they participated in a recording their ideas. GCSE TRIP TO drawing and painting workshop In Hastings we visited the HASTINGS AND in response to the exhibitions At Jerwood Gallery for two further Altitude and The Sussex Open exhibitions and a stimulating EASTBOURNE 2018. The former was a selective drawing workshop run by artist look at the historical impact and Ed Boxall. The exhibitions by In mid-September Year 10 the continuing appeal of the Mark Wallinger and Wilhelmina GCSE Art students made aerial image. Inspiration included Barns-Graham had students their way to Hastings and exhilarating viewpoints of early considering both the sense of Eastbourne to kick start their aviation to the all-enveloping self and place and how artists coursework. The day provided but flattening vantage point of open a door to the ways of a rich source of inspiration for Google Earth. The exhibition perceiving both in new ways. their first unit on ‘Fragments’. allowed fresh perspectives that

Homo Sapiens has harnessed ARTICULATION the power of fire, created INTERNAL and laid ruin to multitudes of empires, stepped foot on the HEAT WINNER: moon, mapped the human genome and caused irreversible NATHAN BLAKER damage to the planet…. All – ARTEFACT of this in search of our primal need to leave a mark, to say “I G7BCCC-L13 was here, I lived.” ›

www.skinners-school.co.uk 25 THE ARTS – ART & DESIGN

› This brief extract from Nathan’s exceptional talk reminded us all about the power and desire we have to make an impression upon the earth. Matthew Edwards, Archie Potts, Luke Williams, To m Keevil, Austin Woods, Alfie Mott, Ruairi Garrett, Oliver Bingham, Billy Marsden, Finn Holden and Charlie Evans also gave their presentations at the School internal heat in January. Each was a carefully woven discourse that highlighted their commitment to something beyond their chosen subjects. engagement in the Arts. Although ARTiculation Alumni and has since These presentations showed clearly Nathan didn’t win the regional been invited to speak at an art the value of scholarship through heats, he has become part of the conference in July.

YEAR 11 GCSE TRIP TO LONDON

The weekend visit to London was to stimulate ideas and gather photographic reference material for the Year 11 Art students’ exam project titled, ‘Reflections’. On Friday, our first stop was the Royal Academy of Arts to see the Renzo Piano Architecture exhibition. The buildings of Renzo Art students last year went on to We next toured the National Piano have enriched cities across study architecture is testament Portrait Gallery. Given the theme the globe; the exhibition revealed to this. We are fortunate that ‘Reflections’ the work on display the vision and invention behind at Skinners’ the Arts are well helped fuel some imaginative his pioneering work, showing how supported, underlining the ideas about how students could architecture can touch the human importance they play in ensuring respond for their exam. spirit. The fact that 95% of A level a broad and balanced curriculum. And so on to the V&A.

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“The excellence of every art must consist in the complete accomplishment of its purpose”. Sir Joshua Reynolds’ inscription over the V&A's Cromwell Road entrance was an apt prompt for the boys as they began their exam unit. We then progressed to the White Cube in Bermondsey where Darren Almond’s exhibition Time Will Tell had students considering how the idea of time is articulated through the language of numbers. The work drew attention to the way time time photography task concluded the Barbican with the Modern can frame, structure and inform the day with light trails wending Couples exhibition. our understanding of the world. their way between figures and The boys’ behaviour and Christine Ay Tjoe exhibition architecture on the Southbank. engagement was exceptional Black, kcalB, Black, kcalB had An early start on Sunday throughout. This was commented students considering the theme allowed us to photograph on a number of times by gallery of darkness and its link to their an apparently uninhabited staff over the 3 days. The trip exam theme. Following this we city during our London City was a great success and much of visited the Drawing Room and architecture photographic the work displayed at the GCSE the compact but bountiful array walking tour and workshop. We exhibition showed the influence of artists work on display. A night rounded off the weekend at of their time in London.

A LEVEL TRIP TO LJUBLJANA

With heavy snow forecast on the morning we were due to depart, the A Level Art trip to Ljubljana thankfully departed without a hitch. Leaving a monochromatic snow painted patchwork of fields behind we touched down early in an equally cold Ljubljana. we explored the Ethnographic Mansion: International Centre Our first stop was the Museum museum which provided an of Graphic Arts. Here we saw of Contemporary Art Metelkova insightful glimpse into Slovenian the iconic work of Milton where the varied works of culture, past and present. This Glaser. His prolific creative Slovenian artists grappled with context helped to frame our oeuvre includes a wealth of the question: What is the status perspective: to help us see the original and revolutionary design of painting today? The question city and the work of the artist solutions, from commercials serves as the point of departure more clearly. From here we and corporate images, to book that gave the A level students visited Dobra Vaga, a commercial and record covers. Nathalie something to consider as their gallery of graphic designs for the Du Pasquier’s exhibition, Fair traditional notions of painting music industry. Game, complimented Glaser’s were challenged. From here We began Saturday at Tivoli strong design style. Assorted ›

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› elements or objects appeared and reappeared in different compositional configurations, like a card in a deck that took on new powers and limitations with each hand dealt. After viewing this work, the boys took part in a collagraph printing workshop under the tuition of the print master in residence, Admir Ganic. This was an excellent start to the trip with the boys getting stuck straight into some practical work. The techniques were new to the students and they worked with fervour, taking full advantage of the specialist equipment. Gallery, Over My Eyes Exhibition. traditional Slovenian food… perfect! From here we next took in the An unfamiliar perspective of Iraq On our final day, the boys took vast bronze doors of Ljubljana was shown through the eyes part in a watercolour workshop Cathedral. Slovene history of a generation of young local following an exceptional tour of the including the portraits of the photographers. This unique and National gallery. This workshop was 20th-century bishops of Ljubljana previously unseen view of Iraq run by Nik Anikis whose tuition emerged from the deep textured captured the fragmented picture was very well received by the bronze work. of contemporary life across the boys. We ended the day with an eye- country. We then returned to opening exhibition at the Jakopic our hostel with our bellies full of Leo Hillier

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GCSE AND A LEVEL EXHIBITION The Skinners’ GCSE and A level summer exhibition displayed an exceptional breadth of artistic disciplines. There were both imaginative and ambitious works that were displayed in a professional manner. The private view was a great way to celebrate the boys hard work and to conclude their A level and GCSE course.

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Drama at Skinners’

THE REST IS different venues was executed in moved between situations and plot minute detail with clues left on twists culminating in a dramatic SILENCE phones and computers, scribbled and tragic fight scene at the close. notes and strategically placed The audience left spent and The Rest is Silence, a highly props, allowing the audience to with a great many insights into ambitious, contemporary interact with the characters in a the different protagonists of the immersive play based on unique and personal way as the play. My one regret is that I only Shakespeare’s Hamlet was chaos unfurled. got to see it once and I suspect performed by a stellar cast at Head of Drama and Director, every night would have told a The Skinners’ School, to a packed Claire Fenton intricately plotted different tale. audience for its 4-night run. the characters’ movements to The elaborately imagined set slowly reveal the story behind each Sara Pittman featuring different scenes in protagonist as they seamlessly

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SIXTH FORM THEATRE CLUB

The Sixth Form Drama and English students had many opportunities to see a vast array of different world-renowned plays throughout the course of the year that enriched the students’ view of modern theatre as well as giving examples of new theatre we are likely to see in the future. The year began with a brilliant production of Anthony and Cleopatra at The National Theatre. Which saw the cousin of Skinners’ very own Mr Randall, ‘Anthony and Cleopatra’ with Ralph Fiennes Ralph Fiennes in his fantastic portrayal of Anthony in this brilliant play. Next saw a quaint day trip to Stratford upon Avon for another Shakespeare filled day of Troilus and Cressida at the RSC then a traverse production of Henry V. The latter a highlight of many students’ year due to its emotional and resonant portrayal that left not a dry eye in the audience.

Students outside the RSC after seeing ‘Troilus and Cressida’

a well-earned deviation from evening of various Shakespearean Shakespeare in the form of pieces in different genres. Jesus Hopped The A Train at the Shakespeare in the Abbey saw Young Vic. A brilliant story of the multiple depictions of the bard’s American prison system and work from Mark Rylance’s “to the people involved, leaving the be or not to be speech” to a rap audience stunned by the fantastic battle version of the Montague 5 actor cast. and Capulet brawl in Romeo and Mr Metcalf had started Juliet. showing Shakespeare withdrawal The last two productions in symptoms; therefore the the school year, although being Next in the theatrical journey students’ next voyage was written by the year’s favourite partaken by the students saw to Westminster Abbey for an playwright ‘Willy Waggle ›

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› Dagger’ could not have been more opposite in their style. The Bridge Theatre’s immersive production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream saw a very modern and comedic portrayal of the writer’s supernatural adventure that took the story to its most contemporary level to date. Contrasted by the Globe’s stripped back Henry IV, Part 1 Boys at ‘Shakespeare in the Abbey’ and 2 that although not having the charisma and technology of the latter, still gave the students a brilliant understanding of Shakespeare’s wider writing. The boys would like to thank both Mr Metcalf and Miss Fenton for organising all the opportunities that allowed for a brilliant year of theatre. Billy Marsden

YEAR 12 DRAMA ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ set Year 12 Drama students performed a scene from Marlowe’s dark 1592 tragedy Doctor Faustus as a part of their A level.

Sixth Form Students in the Globe watching ‘Henry IV, Part 1’

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The Drama Department Oliver Fitzgerald plays the at Skinners’ do not like to emerging leader who tries to make it easy for themselves. act responsibly. He is supported Earlier in the year the Senior by Piggy, acted with great production of Hamlet was a empathy by Max Fineman, radical reworking of the most the bespectacled and put upon well-known drama there is. In boy who tries with increasing this year’s Junior production, frustration to organise the others consisting of students from with the use of his symbolic Years 7-9, Helen Kirk took conch shell. Rivalry from the choir on an adaptation of William leader from another school, Jack Golding’s Lord of The Flies, a (W’Dron Kundu on ferocious classic allegory whose status form) ensures that only the means that it’s one of the most most bestial and power hungry frequently studied texts at qualities remain. ‘Hate Island’ GCSE. It won the perhaps. Nobel Prize for The novel REVIEW Literature in 1954. presents a The story pessimistic view LORD OF involves a group of not just children of schoolboys, but human nature, THE FLIES left stranded on and this was faced a tropical island unsparingly by The year ended with the Junior after a plane the production. Production of Lord of the Flies. crash, and then Choreographed We are used to reporting on how left to organise group movement, memorable these productions are themselves for intense lighting, but this one scaled new heights survival and the ironically sinister in terms of what it demanded hope of rescue. This might seem music and stylised but convincing of its cast as a marooned group relatively easy to cast from a fires all worked together to create of school boys who descend boys’ secondary school with a remorseless vision of our worst into savagery and chaos. This students used to stretching their tendencies. was a three hour tour de force. endurance, independence and The irony of the production Well done to a very large cast organisational skills. The difficulty is that such chaos, cruelty and who worked (necessarily) and therefore the immense despair requires incredible intermittently on the production achievement of the production organisation, care and in the final term of the year and was to vividly enact the enthusiasm to present. When bought convincingly into the inexorable chaos and destruction the audience left the island with growing menace of the piece that their behaviour creates when the surviving students we all that centred around deteriorating removed from ‘civilisation’. felt that that had again been relationships and savage rivalries The boys react in different demonstrated. amongst the stranded group. ways Ralph, played with delicacy and determination by Peter Ubly Billy Marsden

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Creative Writing at Skinners’

It may be ironically unimaginative to quote Einstein but when he said that “Creativity is intelligence having fun,” it’s hard to resist. Over the year a small but inspired group of students spent after school on Monday making things up. We looked at poetic forms, narrative structures, images and songs to get our juices squeezed. Here is a small but inspired selection of their efforts.

GEORGE THOMAS – 9W the school day. Mum had ashen George Thomas’s story bags under eyes that had once about Alzheimer’s has been ALZHEIMER’S been mischievous and playful, a chosen for its sensitivity, AND LEONARD sign of the times. The impending unusual structure and drive was familiar, a never ending attention to detail. Jo HADFIELD slope leading to the Infirmary’s Price’s short story uses location. Icy sleet hammered the Cold War to create a “You may see your against the dullard, lifeless brooding and menacing Grandad now” stone. The rusting metal bars atmosphere. Nothing really were decaying at a similar rate happens, and that’s made TIMIDLY shuffled into room to the people it kept inside, very to be exciting. Equally 93 of St. Patrick’s Psychiatric quickly. They were decaying, like menacing, despite that Infirmary, a cold laminated my soul during these visits. seemingly mundane setting I card saying ‘Ben Hadfield’ was of a coffee shop, is Alistair pressed into my hand. I was still Him? Williams’ Watching and in my rugby kit for Games this Waiting. Again, it’s all down afternoon, the stagnant mud on My Grandad’s bony figure was to the detail. my fifteen year old knee was a stark contrast to the plump, Our go at poetry is beginning to crack and flake off. expensive bed in which it lay. represented by Xander I felt somewhat guilty as I Waters and myself. Of Where would my friends loomed over him, inadvertently Away Xander says, “This be by now? showboating my physically piece was inspired by the flawless body that only had death of my grandfather”. It Most likely in town, smoking a minor pollen allergy to is written with the rhyme Pall Mall and joking around. The contend with. “Hello Grandad”, scheme of a sonnet but harsh smoke would be wafting I articulated slowly – knowing with shorter lines to add to over their shoulders, infiltrating all too well what the response the sense of loss. My own the fabrics of their clothes. These would be. “Who are you? Go was a memory of preparing clothes by the way would later away!”, muttered Grandad in his to leave Shanghai on my be washed behind their parents’ new whiny method of speaking. journey to Skinners’. back. Classic, cold rejection. Great. I hope you enjoy reading The veins in his arms in which them. And Me? shiny needles were implanted throbbed continuously. His Peter Ubly I had been collected by my pained yet seemingly neutral mum, one minute after the bell face stared at me blankly, his had gone signalling the end of face contorted.

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Suddenly, vomit the colour and corporals to turn as they given them hope when hope of mango spurted out of lustfully gazed at the rack of was none. his swollen lips and made a medals that hung off a rack journey down his starched suspended to his chest. He was St. Patrick’s Infirmary – and pressed hospital gown. the recognised commander 1974 A tired looking nurse shuffled of the Regiment responsible over reluctantly and crudely for the invasion destined for ‘Tick, tick, tick’. The machine dabbed a stained rag over his Cape Helles. The regiment that stood over Grandad notified chest, not even meeting his was overwhelmed with high the nurses that it was about to eyes. The impersonality of the morale due to the aura of trust release 60 mg of liquid morphine Infirmary was remarkable. It and control that followed their into my Grandad’s bloodstream, was a benevolent foundation leading officer. He entered numbing the pain but really that expressed itself in the most the officer’s mess and, out of just sedating him. I shifted unattractive of ways. I wished respect, was the reason for around and begged the clock to it was all a façade that would everybody to stop eating and change to 4:30 so that I could eventually come crumbling engage their battle hardened release myself and leave. The down and reveal a loving ears. Alzheimer’s ward was buzzing community that would beguile “Gentlemen, as we as usual, with the cacophony of Grandad and revere him for the approach this beach I wish for noise emitted by an ensemble of individual he had once been. us all to remember the four life-support systems. pillars of this regiment. Trust, The only sign of life was the Gallipoli – 1916 Duty, Faith and Strength. rack of medals crushed between May our God be with you”. two books, disregarded under Brigadier Leonard Hadfield Rapturous applause infused the Grandad’s bed. Probably nothing, strode across the ship’s deck, air and men stood on their feet just part of a fancy dress causing the heads of privates to honour the man who had costume. ›

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› Jo Price – 10.5 building was as non-descript as stove and there was a counter for the others in the block. A beaten- preparation of food. There were MOSCOW up front, the door slightly battered, cupboards all around the counter, FROM THE AIR the windows without curtains, containing crockery and other one pane broken. And yet, this table items. In the centre of the deteriorated insignificance on a room was a great oak table with HE air was filled with a street in a poor part of Moscow four seats around. biting cold, it was a beast was where all Americans In the corner was a larder. It that just hung there. With visiting the city went. Through was a small cupboard about four Tteeth of ice and chills the battered front door, which by three feet. There was a fraying that ravaged any who came near. was basically falling off, was the rug on the floor but what was Snow drifted down from the reception. Reception was the below the rug is what mattered. It overwhelming grey depression of porch of the building. It had been looked just like a plain stone floor cloud that hovered over Moscow. constructed to look the part of a but if you knocked three times in The city was grey, and seemed family house. Several coats hung quick succession, then two slow dark and secretive – for indeed it off a set of dark wooden knobs knocks on the central stone, you was a hub of secrecy and silence, which were set at about eye level could well discover the entirety truths and lies, death and revenge. on the left. On the right was a of the American spy operation in The great grey buildings collection of shoes – all for the Moscow. One small stone in a sprawled across the landscape, winter, large fur-filled boots. It small cupboard in a small shabby as was the Communist style. was not immediately obvious but house on a depressed street in a There was very little colour and in the corner of the room was a huge city at the height of the Cold those bits that did show seemed doll. To the oblivious person it was War, hid twenty American spies. to be cramped and felt as though merely a thing that young children Not only this but the entirety of the Communist oppression would play with, but that was the their Moscow operation. was squashing them out. In oblivious person. To a person of the distance though, stood the extreme intellectual prowess and Kremlin. An explosion of colour knowledge of high-end American Alistair Williams – 10.4 and a sign of power, it was where security systems, however, every foreign power wanted to be, they could discover that it was a WATCHING needed to be … was trying to be. security camera with a good view By whatever means. of the room and street. AND WAITING Despite the biting cold, The building was only one ghost-like figures wandered storey and once through the ITTING in a secluded, with purpose through the porch, you would find a corridor covert corner, the watcher snowy streets. Ethereal beings that had four rooms branching off observed the scene, whose outline could only be from it. A bedroom with peeling Sdrinking in the display, seen. The streets became a war grey-green wallpaper and an iron gorging on the fine details that his zone between the weather and bedstead. The pillow was rumpled piercing eyes picked out from the the people. Those brave souls and looked like someone had tried tangled mess of ideas that assailed desperate to be somewhere but to lay the bed, emphasis on tried, them. A thick, cloying, ambient fug with the rage of snow and cold to for the sheets and duvet were still drifted lazily across the vista; the battle through before they could a shambles. The second room on hazy orange light, emitted from get there. the right was very similar to the tealights haphazardly scattered Along one deserted road, first except with mould-speckled around the coffee shop, barely either side surrounded by small pink wallpaper. Then on the left, permeated through it. An ancient shabby buildings, there was there were also two rooms. One fan hung from the ceiling, wearily a hotel. Not an official hotel, was a sort of drawing room. swinging its tired blades, slicing because otherwise the owners Several armchairs and a fireplace, through the fog, moving it around and everyone involved would be the sort of place people could in frantic swirls, as if the two were arrested, but a hotel nonetheless. sit and watch the snow flurry dancing together, partners in an It was the place that the down. Then the final room was erratic waltz. Under this canopy Americans called Keyhole. This a kitchen. In the corner was a of smothering yet playful air,

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unknowing people lingered, and starting to take note of. Xander Waters – 8A waited, and sat; but unlike the There was a miniature army watcher, these people sat in plain of them, swarming around the view, a showcase of the basic shop like ants, clearing empty AWAY human desire to be noticed. tables, delivering drinks, pulling Customers decorated the up spare chairs for the evidently Knowing this place, soft, squishy leather seats that hopeless customers, all working Where they should be, clustered tightly around solid together seamlessly, in a fluid wooden coffee tables, which were motion that looked like it would A beautiful space, seemingly released into the room take years to perfect. Whilst the Of which all could see; wildly, islands of humanity in the staff flowed between the tables, bustling shop. Hot drinks, encased around the counter and into the But that light in cardboard containers, were kitchen, picking a precarious path had gone, present in almost every grasping through the carelessly abandoned The happiness and joy, hand; at their feet lay thousands packages that concealed the floor of colourful bags, overflowing from view, some of them, whose The sun that once with innumerable items bought ears were perhaps just that tiny bit brightly shone, at outrageous prices, creating an sharper than the average person’s, For death doth destroy; obstacle course on the floor, which started to pick up on the irritatingly caught many unwary patrons by insistent hissing of the hidden All hope and light, surprise – a clear indicator that parcel. However, their busy minds, Every smile vanished, these people are shoppers, taking intent on their work, had little refuge in the warm oasis that the time for contemplation of what It murders might, coffee shop advertised itself as. this barely noticeable sound was; Laughter banished; Still the watcher waited and those that did simply disregarded observed, and it would be clear it as one of the innumerable, And when nature takes to any casual observer that he inconsequential sounds that were its toll, did not come here for an escape issued from behind the counter. One’s heart is left from the bitterly cold wind outside, It stood against the back wall, charcoal. which paired so beautifully with the immovable, a guiding light to stinging rain that launched an attack eagerly anticipated refreshments; on anyone that dared to venture as people stepped into the outside. Nor was he a shopper, bewildering commotion of the despite the surreptitious parcel that shop, leaving the biting wind nestled out of sight between his outside, it acted like a lighthouse, exposed intestines ripped from legs, a soft, barely imperceptible, pulling them into safety. Behind the belly of the beast, through tick-tick-tick being the only indicator it were stationed a garrison of which scalding hot water raced of its existence. Anyone watching baristas, fully absorbed with their through, bouncing and jumping the watcher could tell you that he craft, artfully sculpting clouds with bubbles. Prevalent throughout was not part of the usual clientele of soft, frothy milk on the top this organised chaos was an orgy that populated the coffee shop, of steaming liquids, applying of sound, a soundtrack composed an impression perhaps suggested exceptionally detailed patterns on by the coffee machines and their by the ominous atmosphere that top with chocolate, cinnamon and users, in which screaming kettles, he excreted so strongly, but as sugar, the delicately positioned roaring coffee grinders, squealing he observed the scene, not one crystals sparkling in the dim light. milk whippers and the increasingly person laid eyes on him. It was as Towering up behind them were the fast paced shouting of orders were if he sat there invisible; roving eyes, coffee machines, great mechanical the main instruments. belonging to curious customers, behemoths, whose hidden bowels It’s little wonder, then, that slid straight past him. However, his were host to an assorted medley such a tiny package went by anonymity was betrayed by one of grinding gears, boiling water, and so unnoticed, when its light thing, the persistent ticking of his milk being whipped into a frenzy. tick-tick-tick was drowned out hidden package, a sound that some Burnished copper pipes plunged so effectively by the deafening of the members of staff were in and out of the machines, like cacophony emanating from ›

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› behind the counter, and the doing right now, having an opposed to autophenomenology, hubbub of idle chatter which intelligent conversation. It was which is introspection, which is was so prominent in between language and the capacity to phenomenology of yourself. happy customers. Visually have an intelligent conversation inconspicuous, its fragile outer that he underlined as the thing Robert Lawrence Kuhn: shell was created by flimsy that was beyond all imaginable Phenomenology being the things cardboard walls, roughly sealed mechanism. That’s what you that we feel and sense and --? with tape liberally plastered needed, an immaterial bit of over the open edges. In the wonder stuff. What he realised, Daniel Dennett: inky darkness below the and it’s since confirmed by That’s right, that’s right watcher’s table, the stains and linguistics if -- if it was ever any dirt on the box, which were doubt, is that there’s as good as Robert Lawrence Kuhn: the only blemishes it suffered an infinity of sentences that you Now other people say, “That’s from, were illuminated only by and I can effortlessly understand. fine, Dan. But unless you do a the foreboding red light that He didn’t see how anything first person analysis, the internal, managed to leak out of holes mechanical could do that. or the auto, unless you do that, ripped in the cardboard carapace Today I think, now that we have you’re missing the fundamental which protected the source computers and we can now, for core of consciousness”. of the light. A light that had the first time, take seriously a -- started to flash, starting slow, a machine with a trillion moving Daniel Dennett: but increasing in pace, which parts -- Of course. I don’t say, “Don’t you synchronised perfectly with the dare introspect.” But I’m saying, increasingly rapid tempo of the Robert Lawrence Kuhn: “When you introspect, you have ever present ticking, growing (Laughs.) to treat your own introspections ever closer to its climax. with the same circumspection, Daniel Dennett: the same caution that you treat --All bets are off on that. everybody else’s”. Daniel Dennett Robert Lawrence Kuhn: Robert Lawrence Kuhn: So what you’re saying is that WHAT IS THE What are some of the unless you can take that first MIND-BODY methodologies that we can use, person experience and subject it the contextual ways of thinking to the third person neutrality” -- PROBLEM? about the mind/body problem? Daniel Dennett: f you go back and look at Daniel Dennett: -- that’s it. Descartes, René Descartes, Well I’ve put forward a -- a who was the -- really the neutral way of thinking about Robert Lawrence Kuhn: Ifather of Dualism, he -- he the problem, saying, “Alright, -- it’s not science. did a very interesting thing. He so -- so what is the problem? said, first of all, “Only human What are the data? Let’s, let’s Daniel Dennett: beings have minds.” Animals a catalogue.” And the data are That’s right. Now, why should we didn’t have minds, they were just what we do. Well, we can record do science then? That’s a good fancy clockwork. And we’re a lot that, we can use video and question. But I think most of the of flan -- fancy clockwork too. sound recording and we can wire people who are interested in the There’s lots of just mechanical people up and get lots of data mind/body problem accept that processes going on in our body. about what’s going on in their that is the mind/body problem. But then addition to those fancy brains and their bodies. And then How can we unify our everyday processes, there’s -- there’s we can talk to them about what introspective personal, first a special and, even to him, they see and hear and feel and personal sense of ourselves with mysterious link to an immaterial smell and so forth. I call this, by a world that science tells us is mind. In fact the only thing that the way, by the ungainly term, there? I say there’s a neutral way he said couldn’t be explained hetero-phenomenology. This is of doing it. You have to pass it mechanically is what we’re phenomenology of the other as through the third person sieve.

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THE BATTLE OF a presentation about why their presentation was lively, extremely chosen book was the best. The fact well organised and did full justice THE BOOKS – that the teams consist of students to the complexity and originality of CARNEGIE across all the school allows for fresh the novel. This view was also held discussion with new people about by the final Carnegie judges, who BALLOON the novel’s themes, characters, described the novel as, “a searing, style and structure. Whilst this was unflinching exploration of culture, DEBATE 2019 going on teachers from each school family and faith within a truly judged the additional competitions innovative verse structure”. EADING continues to be of book reviews and alternative The other novels, Bone Talk valued and nurtured at front covers. House With Chicken Legs, Land of Skinners’ as a vital element In some years there is a close Neverendings, Long Way Down, Rto everyone’s emotional, run contest for the favoured Rebound, Things a Bright Girl Can intellectual and social development. book, and the presentations Do and Skinful of Shadows all had Fortnightly sessions in the Library are marked for the quality of their enthusiastic supporters and for KS3, Friday morning reading the delivery organisation and received excellent presentations. in form time and the Bookbuster argument rather than the book In a world increasingly reading scheme all serve to itself. This year, however, both the dominated by screens of all sizes, promote the love of books, but the best presentation and the best these novels, the impassioned highlight of the book year must be book was agreed upon: Poet X by engagement of the students and the Carnegie Balloon Debate. Elizabeth Acevedo. the commitment of librarians and Teams from Skinners’, TWGGS, This novel is also appropriately teachers across the schools provide TWGSB, and SKA this year gathered written in verse, and is about a fitting testament to the continued at the TWGGS Performing Arts Xiomara, a young, shy Dominican importance of reading. Centre, having read and discussed girl who gets involved with a the eight chosen novels, to prepare slam poetry group in Harlem. The Peter Ubly

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Barton Science Competition Science at Skinners’

BARTON SCIENCE COMPETITION On 12th March Eddie Lynch, Alex Maltby, David Zou and Dan Record represented Skinners’ in the Barton Science Competition at Tonbridge School. After a very wet arrival having been caught in the rain, the competition was a series of Chemistry, Biology and Moore . Photo Jeff Trio Playing Poker Physics practical challenges. BODY WORLDS The overall winning school was Judd, but Skinners’ did On the 8th February a selection of Biology students from across the very well, especially in the school travelled to London and visited the Body World exhibition. This Chemistry challenge where exhibition of plasticised bodies gave us a fascinating insight into the they came a close second complex design of the human body. All students who attended enjoyed out of all the schools. the experience immensely and we would like to thank Mr Lines for arranging the trip. Andrew Bebb Benjamin Thomson

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CAMBRIDGE CHEMISTRY CHALLENGE Sarah Davies Congratulations to Sam Fletcher, who won a Roentgenium Award in this year’s Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, placing him in the top 56 students from more than 9000 who sat the paper. This is a remarkable achievement. All the awards from Skinners’ are listed below:

Number COPPER SILVER GOLD ROENTGENIUM of entrants awards awards awards awards 48 8 13 7 1

CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD Sarah Davies In January 2019, 22 sixth form students took part in the Chemistry Olympiad. Particular congratu- lations to Sam Fletcher, Josh Asprey, Ben Marshall and Alfie Read-Fulcher who all achieved a silver award. The results are shown below:

Number BRONZE SILVER GOLD of entrants awards awards awards 22 11 4 0

MATHS CHALLENGES Benjamin Thomson In November 2018, 40 sixth form mathematicians took part in the Senior Maths Challenge. Particular congratulations to Sam Richards and Jamie Hood who both qualified for the British Olympiad. There were also three discretionary entrants to the Olympiad: Jake Rule and Hugh Simmons in Year 13 and Scott Hall in Year 11. Sam, Jamie and Scott all received a merit in the Olympiad. Congratulations also to Joe Hawthorne who received a merit in the Senior Kangaroo Round which is awarded to students who narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympiad. Results for the maths challenge are shown below:

Number BRONZE SILVER GOLD of entrants certificates certificates certificates 40 12 15 11

In the Intermediate Olympiad for Giovanni Currah, David Zou and 100 in the country. Years 9, 10 and 11, merits were Jake Wright. Congratulations to Leo Kilner, awarded to Scott Hall (Year 11), There were also two Josh Manwaring, Kristian James Middleton, James Quill, tremendous results from our Ivanov, Ben James, Ben and Matthew Romanis in Year two Junior Olympiad round Truscott, Sam Wright, Dillon 10, plus Freddie Reid and Karam entrants: Charlie Sullivan gained Ansell, Aaron D’Souza, Jason Al-Robaie in Year 9. Freddie also a merit and Max Fineman Dinh and George Mitchell who won a medal for the distinction of achieved a Silver Medal; this out received merits in the Junior finishing the top 100 in the country. of a total of 1100 entrants (ie. the Maths Kangaroo and well done In the Intermediate Kangaroo top scorers in the Junior Maths to Thomas Parker and Aidan (just below the Olympiad) three Challenge). The silver medal Cornell in Year 7 who both came Year 9 students received merits – indicates that Max was in the top close to achieving a merit.

www.skinners-school.co.uk 41 STEM

NEW SCIENCE CORRIDORS

The boys returned to a slightly glammed up Science department in April. Thanks to the characteristic generosity of the Parents’ Association, we have been able to transform what were very sterile corridors and doorways to a sea of colour and inspiration. It certainly improves our working environment and at the very least will make queuing up for lessons a bit more interesting! This is part of a programme of improvements to New Wing (as it was built in the 1960s it has a moniker that has evolved into irony). These improvements will continue in the summer of 2019 with replacement of windows and treatment of degrading concrete. This year also saw two Physics trips to CERN and its Hadron Collider in Switzerland. In STEM congratulations to Nyal Patel who has been successful with his Arkwright Scholarship application and follows on the success of Vincent Bailey Ladd and Ruairi Garrett in achieving that distinction.

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SALTERS CHEMISTRY COMPETITION

Rushil Shukla, Jamie Benson, Ethan Manktelow, Ben James and I travelled up to London for a wonderful day at Imperial on Wednesday 27th March. They started with the Salters' Competition carrying out analysis of compounds using qualitative techniques and then took part in the Imperial College competition in the afternoon testing out which quantity of reagents would give the exact temperature drop for an endothermic reaction. After an array of exciting demonstrations carried out by one of the lead Our STEM team with Vex robots on return from the Invicta STEM chemists in the college we had Festival the presentation ceremony and the boys came third in a very strong field winning molymods for themselves and the school. MISSION DISCOVERY Following a quick lesson on the In March, eight Skinners’ students took part in International train they were soon making Space Station Education Trust’s Mission Discovery competition organic compounds (GCSE level at Tonbridge School, in their newly built Barton Science Centre. and above) on the journey home. The objective set for us was to select and design an experiment A super day with exemplary to be conducted on the International Space Station (ISS), with behaviour and standards. the winning team sending their experiment into space. A total Sarah Lowe of 20 mixed teams, representing a number of schools, took part. The six experiments which were presented in the final round in front of an esteemed audience covered a whole range of ideas from testing the ability of antivirals in plants (our experiment), to asexually reproducing yeast and the use of nitrogen-fixing plants, all in space. Another highlight was that we also had the opportunity to meet two astronauts who have both commanded the ISS in the past. They shared their perspectives about the importance of space in our past and for our future, and lent their considerable experience to all the teams by helping them with their research and design of chosen experiments. Although our team made it through to the finals, we unfortunately did not win. The week also focused on the teamwork, communication and creativity needed to be a successful engineer, scientist or astronaut and I believe it was this that made the biggest impact on us, by encouraging us to improve skills that will be invaluable in our future careers. Sam Fletcher

www.skinners-school.co.uk 43 TRIPS

CERN trip

In early March and May, two groups of Year 12 students were fortunate enough to take part in an incredible 3-day trip to Geneva to visit the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, led by Mrs Marsh.

Both groups got to see the Additionally, both groups had a the boat tour of the lake, and interesting and informative tour of the incredible UN Palace to, quite literally, get a taste of exhibitions at CERN, before of Nations, where they saw the Swiss culture during a fondue having the opportunity to take main assembly hall and watched ‘experience’ at a local restaurant. a tour of the research facility parts of the debates taking place Overall, this was a thoroughly in order to get a sense of the there. enjoyable and educational trip, work carried out at the facility, There were also many which will stick with both groups and to see the sheer scale of opportunities throughout the trip of students who took part. the detectors used to monitor to take in the incredible sights of collisions between particles. Lake Geneva, particularly during Joshua Garcia

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German exchange

Mid-afternoon on a Thursday in July, a gaggle of German students in Years 9 and 10 embarked on a coach journey to Stansted Airport. From here, they would fly to Cologne and then drive to Bonn to meet the exchange students who had, not so long ago, visited them.

The coach journey was a surroundings. We then proceeded This was enormously interesting, sweaty affair that made the to meet our exchanges and return as we got to venture into the boys fall into somber and tired home, in my case for a BBQ. meeting rooms. After this, we moods. However, much to Mrs SATURDAY AND SUNDAY did a go-ape style activity which Hubbard’s delight, this was short were with families. We chose allowed us to release any bottled lived and we were soon singing to go to Fantasialand and a up testosterone. ‘a-wimba-wae’ as we went gathering on Saturday, allowing WEDNESDAY entailed a trip through airport security. The flight me to experience German Youth to Cologne. We got to visit the that ensued was not long and we culture. On Sunday, we had a ‘Chocolate Museum’ and ‘The were in Bonn before we knew large BBQ at the park. There was Olympic Museum’. This was it. Our exchange partners were a large range of foods, including topped off by two hours free-time waiting for us and we all met our sausages (which certain people in Cologne, where we visited the exchanges families for the first particularly enjoyed). After this, shops and many sights. We also time, a nerve-wracking experience. we headed to a café and had a saw the cathedral and climbed Then, we all made our ways to our relaxed evening. it, an incredibly sick-making relevant homes and slept. MONDAY was an amazing experience. THURSDAY involved FRIDAY began with us all day. We all headed to a water- a cable car to Drachenfels, which meeting in the school and having a skiing centre and had a two took us all the way to the summit. set of lessons with our exchanges. hour session of water-skiing. We then caught a boat back to This provided a useful insight Eventually, we all got the Bonn and visited the History into continental teaching and we grip of it and had enormous Museum, the English exhibition were impressed by the dedication quantities of fun. After a large was thoroughly enjoyed by all. shown by German students across lunch, we travelled back to our After this, we sailed back to Bonn the board. After this, we headed exchange partners for the rest and said our final goodbyes prior into Bonn for a tour and saw sights of the day. I can say that this to departure. I am very glad to such as the Town Hall and (of was truly a highlight of the have gone on this trip and will be course) the Haribo Store. We were trip. TUESDAY entailed a visit sure to go again next year. given some free time in Bonn to Villa Hammerschmidt, the which allowed us to explore our governmental residence of Bonn. George Thomas

www.skinners-school.co.uk 45 TRIPS

Cologne trip

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Krakow

Standing where 1 million people were murdered was something I knew everyone found very hard to comprehend due to the huge scale. It was definitely the most sombre event of my life

meal, we went to a traditional As half term approached in October 2018, 29 Polish restaurant. We were very Skinners’ boys and three TWGGS girls embarked surprised to be taken out of our seats by traditional dancers and on a trip to Poland to complete a series of thought forced to be the entertainment provoking and once in a lifetime visits focused on of the evening. From the looks the origin and nature of the Holocaust. of things Mr Metcalf seemed to especially enjoy the dancing! We ended this trip with a visit ON THE FIRST DAY, we had into the experiences of those to the Schindler Factory museum a walking tour of the historical caught up in the Holocaust. which was a reminder that there city of Krakow, taking in many We were expertly guided were people who were prepared sites including Krakow Castle around both camps. I found the to sacrifice themselves so that and Cathedral and the Jewish whole experience very moving. hundreds of Jews might live. Ghetto. This provided some useful Standing where 1 million This trip was one that was hard knowledge on the background people were murdered was to know how to feel about and of Poland and the opportunity to something I knew everyone react to, but was not one that see the vast amount of culture found very hard to comprehend I, or anyone else who went, provided in the city. due to the huge scale. It was regretted going on because it THE SECOND DAY involved definitely the most sombre is important that we see what a tour round the two Auschwitz event of my life. humans can do to each other and Camps, Auschwitz 1 and That afternoon, we met a that we do not allow the same to Auschwitz Birkenau Death Holocaust survivor whilst still happen in our future. Camp, both of which gave processing the experience of us an unforgettable insight the morning. For our evening Henry Sikorski

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Year 7s on their Bushcraft adventure, September 2018

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Year 8 Loire Valley trip

In June, Year 8 pupils were fortunate enough to experience Skinners’ annual visit to the Loire Valley in France. Whilst waking up at 3:30 in the morning wasn’t perhaps many people’s idea of a holiday, as the adrenaline of embarking on a trip abroad without family took hold, excitement filled the air.

After a 12-hour-long coach journey the people on the streets, we minute for the lack of being able to (which involved a lot of sleeping, discovered that the challenge was tear themselves away. for many) we arrived at our hotel. not all that challenging after all, Our last day of activities was Every night we had access to a even despite the occasional swift- on THURSDAY, beginning with fabulous three course meal and speaker. It was a vital confidence the Mushroom Caves. At a much outdoor seating to enjoy the sun builder for many who at the time cooler 12˚C, it was a welcomed – the bread, in true French style, were lacking, and will no doubt excursion which brought, not only was delicious! From 8:00 onwards, prove infinitely useful in improving crucial knowledge about French we were allowed some free time, our people-skills for years to come. mushroom prices, but a history which many chose to spend playing lesson about the cave’s previous football, basketball, table-tennis or Patisseries uses, and former French villages. relaxing in their rooms. Next was a visit to Chateau On MONDAY, we first travelled We even had some time left over d’Amboise, where we learned to Clos-Lucé, the past (and last) to visit the patisseries, displaying about the French monarchy, the abode of Leonardo da Vinci. Apart the most tantalising treats. 100 Year War and ancient French from the stunning gardens and Come afternoon, we went traditions. The views from the peak architecture, we explored the to the Radio Telescope, viewing of the castle were breath-taking, polymath’s inventions and artworks, their informational projection and but the promise of time to buy an with some wonderful models to wandering round the museum. ice cream was enough to lure us help us visualise his creations for Although, staring up at a projection back to the ground. Lastly, we did ourselves. Once we’d finished in a dark room with relaxing music some shopping for our imminent a picnic and game of football at in the background may’ve not been departure at a hypermarket; us midday, we visited Autrèche Animal the best idea, as six of us discovered, pupils getting lost in the massive Park, enjoying the opportunity to when they finally woke up. aisles, the teachers getting lost in see and learn about deer, boars, WEDNESDAY was certainly the the cheap prices. emus and more. I think the animals most highly anticipated day, as with We were upset to be at the end must have been gawking at us as it came our visit to Furturoscope, a of our journey come Friday, and it much as we were at them! The fantastic, simulation-based theme was a marvellous experience for weather was extremely hot (at park with many futuristic attractions, all. Many thanks to the endless times reaching 40˚C ) however, at as the name would suggest. Along patience and commitment of the that moment in time, savouring with the amazing rides on offer, Skinners’ teachers who came the pleasant temperature, we our visit was made even better with us – how you put up with us spent some time in the outdoor by the smaller touches – be it the for almost a week I don’t know. I playground, before we were due to staff who came by to cool us down sincerely hope that future school return. with water guns and free water trips will be akin to this one The next day came with the task refills or the incredibly short waiting and that the Loire Valley Trip will that we were dreading the most times for all of the rides. Overall, it continue to enthral Year 8 pupils for – the interviews. Nevertheless, was such a great trip that many of many years to come. after wandering through the us only managed to arrive back at streets of Romorantin, questioning the meeting points at the very last Max Fineman

www.skinners-school.co.uk 49 TRIPS

The Bridge of Avignon

French Exchange 2019

able to walk past all the stalls The Year 10 French Exchange paired Skinners’ selling interesting bits and bobs. students with their French counterparts from After that we took a boat trip to Avignon for yet another year. an island. This was particularly fantastic as the view was Feeling the heat hit our faces as host families, giving us more time amazing and we had the chance we stepped off the plane set the to know our partner. The next to gaze upon the beautiful city of tone for the trip to come. After day, we took a coach from the Marseille. a long bus journey, we made it school to a village called Gordes, On FRIDAY we visited the to the school where we were where we took in the commune’s medieval city of Uzes and later warmly greeted by our exchanges. narrow, winding streets and quaint went canoeing on the Gardon The atmosphere was vibrant, shopping quarter. It was beautiful river. This was great fun and everyone was exited for the as well as culturally enriching. because the boats were for two week to come. After being shown We spent WEDNESDAY with people or more it was a suitable around the house we unpacked our exchanges. The day started teamwork exercise. It was one of and immediately felt at home. We at their school in the morning, the highlights of the trip, despite all ate together as a family and got taking part in their lessons. the rain! SATURDAY was the some time to show off our French In the afternoon many of us final day with our exchanges skills, or not in some cases! visited the town centre with and we spent the day with our On the MONDAY we visited our exchanges and their friends host families. The trip came to Les Halles, an old quarry which who were also taking part in the an end on SUNDAY, as we said has been converted into a room exchange. This was great fun our goodbyes and flew back filled with massive projectors because we were able to make to England. Thanks must go to inside, each filling up the walls of new friends, both French and Mr Randall for organising and the massive quarry with beautiful English as well as improve our supervising the trip – it was a images and paintings by Van Gogh French. On the THURSDAY we truly memorable one! as well as awesome animated art. all took the train to Marseille and We then spent the night with our we visited the old port. We were Leo Burness

50 www.skinners-school.co.uk the LEOPARD 2018-19

New York: outside in the cold and inside the UN Building with their awards Harvard Model United Nations 2019 and esteemed MUN schools and Few schools in the United Kingdom would be colleges. From waking up at 5:30 prepared to send 29 Lower Sixth delegates to the am just to get to committee on US for a four-day Model United Nations Conference, time, to crisis meetings in the hosted by Harvard undergraduates and attended by middle of the night, the intensity was not to be underestimated. more than 3,000 students from across the globe. Although difficult, our grit and Skinners’, however, is a typically atypical British resolve enabled us to compete at school, and so in January 2019 yet another troupe the highest level with delegates of sixth formers set off for the States to attend the who were attending their 5th, 10th, or even 20th MUN conference. 66th annual session of Harvard MUN. Ultimately, we came away with an astonishing four Honourable Months prior to departure, had the opportunity to question Mentions and six Verbal Mentions each delegate was assigned a diplomats on matters of foreign (17 boys in total) for our efforts – an committee and topic of debate, policy and their country’s operations incredible achievement that put and set about preparing speeches at the UN; excellent preparation for Skinners’ towards the top of the and position papers for January’s the task ahead. International Schools’ Leader Board. conference. This year, Skinners’ After three outstanding days in Awards do not, however, a had the privilege of representing the Big Apple, we arrived at the successful MUN conference make. Uruguay and the United Kingdom; Sheraton Hotel in Boston late on Most importantly, the 29 students a far cry from the school’s first the Tuesday; Conference started who set off for the experience of delegation, which represented the (rather confusingly for 29 jet-lagged, a lifetime returned infinitely more Democratic Republic of the Congo caffeine-dependent lower-sixth confident, adept and aspirational, back in 2012! students) two days later at 9 o’clock having developed so much more Our arrival at JFK International in the evening. Within 4 hours, we than the ability to debate a working Airport brought intense sub-zero had all given our first speeches paper or scrutinise another bloc’s temperatures and bitter winds. to our respective committees draft resolution. Although daunting, this did not and had set about developing None of this would have been dampen our spirits in the slightest, working papers for debate on the possible, however, without Mr for the packed itinerary never failed Wednesday, which would form the Coltella’s dedication to making to captivate our amazement at bones of our final Draft Resolutions. the trip a success – his effort and the city’s awe-inspiring sights and The next three days put our commitment to our progress and attractions, from Ground Zero to negotiating skills and attention to development as delegates never Times Square. detail to the test in a display of the failed to shine through, and for that Most useful of all were visits to group’s determination to succeed we cannot thank him enough. the British and Uruguayan Missions under pressure and take on some to the United Nations. Delegates of the world’s most reputable Jono Newman

www.skinners-school.co.uk 51 ADVENTURE

CCF

Both Army and RAF sections have been busy as ever this year. Both have undertaken a number of exercises, including two field days, recruits and range weekends, as well as the Summer Camp in July. Cadets from the RAF Section also joined army cadets on a visit to the Armed Forces engagement exhibition in Salisbury, Wiltshire, to mark Armed Forces Day, in July.

As the school year ended, the Major is Nathan Blaker and the the RAF’s deployments around CCF enjoyed a week of activities, new RSM is Ben Slater. the world by Air Marshal Sue visiting the Tank Museum in The RAF Section resumed Gray, who is the UK armed Bovington to gain appreciation flying at RAF Wittering in Forces first female three star of the mechanisation of war and September, although of the officer. RAF cadets also visited the progression of armoured 96 places Squadron Leader the RAF Museum at Hendon, warfare in particular. The cadets Godman was able to obtain, and the Imperial War Museum gained an understanding of WW1 56 were lost to bad weather. air collection at Duxford during tanks and what they morphed However, 40 cadets were able the year. into in WW2, but also viewed a to fly, so almost everyone who Promotions took place towards full display of hardware from the wanted to fly got airborne. the end of the School year with Afghanistan campaign of this A small group of cadets Cadet Warrant Officer Satoshi century, giving them up to date were invited to RAF Kenley in Purkiss taking over from CWO information on technology and September for a flight simulator Galpin. CWO Purkiss will be geopolitics. and ground instruction course ably assisted by Flight Sergeants Cadets also participated in which enabled them to be Harvey Champneys, Jake a patrol skills competition and awarded their cadet ‘blue wings’, Lynch, and Siyan Patel, and a rigorous tactical exercise following the required flying at Sergeants Ruairi Garrett, Josh culminating in a full platoon level RAF Wittering. Another course Garcia, and Christian Roberts attack up a steep incline in rough was held in March. in 2019 / 20. In addition, Pilot terrain. The Patrol competition A group of cadets visited the Officer Champneys passed her was won by the section ably prestigious Air Power event at officer course at RAF Cranwell, commanded by Corporals RAF Coningsby in October. The and former Skinners’ pupil, CCF Blaker and Tucker. lucky cadets were able to go on RSM, and RAF head cadet James The new top four in the Army board the RAF’s latest transport Woodroofe joined the RAF contingent next year are as aircraft, a US Navy maritime Section as a Civilian Instructor. follows: the RQMS of Stores is surveillance aircraft, and get Alex Hanks, Recruit Company right close up to Typhoon and Major Ian Kelso Sergeant Major is Arthur Bell, Lightning fighters. They also had and Squadron Leader the Senior Company Sergeant the privilege of being briefed on Rob Godman

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RAF Hendon, Jan 2019

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www.skinners-school.co.uk 53 ADVENTURE

Dartmoor 2019

The week started with the sometimes questionable, but mostly good, music from Lt Thorpe’s phone echoing through the minibus, with everyone in high spirits as they sang along to the songs they recognised. It was a straightforward journey, which did nothing to prepare us for the challenging week ahead.

Once we arrived at progression in the training recuperate from the walking, and Okehampton Training Camp, and to further challenge us to apply some of the teamwork we had little time to settle in and our developing leadership principles that we learned earlier before we were sitting in the skills, SUNDAY started off in the week. The crate stacking classroom. The three training with a morning of ‘command activity in particular showed us objectives for the week were tasks’ – activities which test that coordination was the best for us to have fun, for the communication and problem path to success. TUESDAY supervisors to have fun, and solving. The results of which was a day of climbing down at for us to learn and develop. We informed the team competition. the Bickleigh barracks, home to were split into two groups for That afternoon, however, was the 42 Commando Royal Marines, the overall team competition, start of a 24hr exercise out on the where we started off with some taught the basics of pacings, moors. During the day, navigation free climbing and we then weather, bag packing, and was aided by the surprisingly moved on to a competition. personal admin in the field. clear weather conditions, which Unfortunately however, Josh Once this was done it was time significantly improved people’s Garcia injured his ankle during to sleep, to ensure we were morale, and we all enjoyed the the climbing competition. After a fresh and rested for the week walk during the day. visit to Plymouth hospital it was ahead… concluded that he could not walk SATURDAY saw the two Weariness on his bruised ankle. The news teams split and undertake basic was upsetting to all but we also navigation exercises on our first During the night navigation knew that it was best for Josh to intrepid experience on the moors. phase, it was a somewhat not worsen his injury. The ‘introductory moor walk’ also different story. Battling weariness With that packed schedule saw each of us take on some and struggling with the darkness behind us, on the Wednesday we small responsibility in the form of and low visibility, we trudged in a set out for the 48hr exercise. As acting as navigator for the rest of circuit around the moors, back to with the rest of the week, the the group, with the task of getting Red-a-ven Brook, where we had skies were clear, which meant the team to a random location our comparatively warm tents that we were able to sing John nearby. This gave everyone a waiting for us. Denver’s Country Roads badly taste of the following days of The next two days were for without having to battle the walking that we would undertake, more adventure training. On noise of rain pelting us. Over as we balanced arriving quickly the MONDAY we travelled to the course of the exercise we with practising the new skills, and Roadford reservoir where we also had to do more activities keeping group spirits high. enjoyed a day of high ropes and to help us with our learning and In order to maintain sailing. These both allowed us to developing. For example we each

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had to give presentations on a topic of our choice – featuring an SCOUTING ACHIEVEMENT inspiring talk about fitness and dieting from Anthony Bridgland and a thrilling talk about the many wonders of cricket from Jake Lynch. We also performed ‘film skits’ where we acted the plot of a film each in our groups. I’m sure the Oscar for Most Colourful interpretation of Shrek would go to Harvey Champneys. The following morning we each completed the final trek back to Okehampton Camp where we quickly cleared out and packed the van – leaving us to a breakfast of sausages and Thomas Pearson (Y9) and his younger brother Matthew bacon. Congratulations to Team (starting at Skinners’ in September) recently achieved 2 for narrowly winning the team something in Scouting never done before: competition, however, without Both boys are active members in 1st Robertsbridge Scouts, trying to sound like a sore loser, part of the SENLAC District in East Sussex. They, along with I would also add that I thought two other Scouts from the Group participated in the Annual that we were all able to take County Competition and won both parts of the competition – something positive away from the first time this has ever happened – scoring over 260 points, the week. This was down to the with the runners up failing to reach 200. training staff so massive thanks The competition is fiercely fought every year at Broadstone to Cpt Smith, Lt Thorpe, Lt Warren in the Ashdown Forest over two days testing ability Bridgland, and Maj Holding for in camping, camp cooking, navigation and a host of other putting on a thoroughly enjoyable outdoor and scouting related skills. The two phases of the week that I’m sure none of us competition this year had a navigation and observation phase will soon forget. (the skills competition), and a night time activity hike and wide game for the overall ‘Goldbitz’ trophy. L Cpl Arthur Bell

www.skinners-school.co.uk 55 ADVENTURE

Duke of Edinburgh

BRONZE PRACTICE

BRONZE ASSESSED At the start of Activities Week, 135 Year 10 students embarked on their Bronze Qualifying Expedition, supported by a team of 13 staff from Skinners'. Travelling down to the Swattenden Outdoors Centre in Cranbrook, the teams completed a two-day trek totalling over 30 km, camping at a remote Bronze DofE boys pictured campsite and being self-sufficient at Swattenden for the two days. The boys were assessed by KCC’s DofE Assessors, and 20 teams were successful in completing the Expedition, the final section of their Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze Award. Well done to all!

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SILVER ASSESSED It has been another strong year for Silver DofE at Skinners', with 45 boys from the 2017/18 cohort completing their assessed expedition back in September and a record breaking 65 completing Silver DofE boys pictured their practice in June this year in at Blacklands Farm the Ashdown Forest.

Russell Moore

GOLD PRACTICE On Thursday, 23rd June, 24 Year 12 students set off to the Brecon Beacons in South Wales for their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Practice Expedition. Working with local Mountain Leaders in four groups, the lads Gold DofE boys pictured completed a day of training, in the Brecon Beacons and three further days of trekking, crossing the Beacons and culminating in an ascent of Pen y Fan, at 886m the tallest mountain in the area.

www.skinners-school.co.uk 57 ADVENTURE

Snowdonia trip report

At the start of June, the current Year 12 A level geography students embarked on a week-long exploration of the abundance of physical and human landscapes that the region of Snowdonia, North Wales has to offer.

Although the trip was Although it may have taken centred around gaining an us a while to get to grips with understanding of various the pronunciation of these methods of fieldwork required settlements, there was no for the course, there were many hesitation in our quest to find a opportunities to discover and football pitch in every location, learn about unfamiliar urban and presenting Mr Lawson with the natural environments. During perfect opportunity to show off various expeditions across the his profound footballing ability. unique Welsh countryside, Mr Lawson’s Cruyff turn was we were presented with an something to behold, but it was array of glacial landforms, not quite as staggering as the allowing us to encounter awe-inspiring view from the a visual representation of summit of Mount Snowdon. The the impact of the various five days in which we resided geomorphic processes that we in Snowdonia provided us with had learnt about in the past a thorough understanding of year. We collected, compiled how glaciation has sculpted and analysed a range of data the astonishing landscape, throughout the trip, including the positive and negative the size and shape of scree implications this has for the against the backdrop of a citizens of local towns and the corrie, as well as environmental importance of avoiding long quality surveys on nearby towns grass for fear of tick infestation. Beddgelert, Llanberis and Betws y Coed. Dante Di Nardo

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Senior Rugby Tour to South America

The Skinners’ Red and Black to experience the post-match Henry Moore, Laurie McCabe assembled at the school on hospitality of the Areco Rugby and Toby Ponsford the boys the morning of the 17th July, Club, accompanied by the local embarked upon a food battle like simply ecstatic. The next thing cuisine. After departing Areco the never seen before with skewer we knew, the bustling streets following morning, we started the upon skewer of meat arriving of Buenos Aires presented long coach journey into Uruguay at our tables, leaving time and themselves. for the next section in our trip. energy for a quick whizz around a Buenos Aires, a true metropolis of We arrived in the beautiful city night market next to Copacabana 13 million people. We toured the of Colonia, known for its stunning before a good night’s sleep. city, with various guided tours, old town. After that it was to The next morning, we headed free time in shopping centres and the capital, Montevideo to be out on a walking tour of Rio and even a boat trip. But then came hosted by our third and final host played football on Copacabana the time of our first match against families. The next day consisted beach followed by one of the Curupayiti Rugby Club. Jetlag of a tour of the school we were major tourist attractions in the loomed still and the size of the playing later in the day, Colegio world: Christ the Redeemer. A Argentine boys was like nothing Seminario. The matches were truly breath-taking combination we had ever seen before. In three physical and testing for all, but of architecture and natural beauty thrilling games, the 2nd XV won again all three teams came away greeted us at the top and it 7-0, the 3rd XV drew 0-0 and, in with three wins: 3rds 24-7, 2nds emphasised how spectacular a what was a very close game, 28-26 and 1sts 45-17. Battered city Rio really is. the 1st XV lost 21-0 in one of the and bruised in the morning we The final day involved touch most physical encounters in our went on a tour of Montevideo for rugby on the beach with the Skinners’ careers. our final taste of Uruguay before boys and girls from the UmRio Next, we travelled to the our flight to Brazil that evening. charity, a fantastic and rewarding quaint town of Areco and with a After touching down in experience with some great population of only 23,000: quite a Rio De Janeiro, in typical Mr laughs, good rugby, singing and contrast to Buenos Aires. It was Coltella fashion there was dancing. A final buffet by the here that we experienced our no time to rest as we swiftly beach front for one last team first billeting, and some proper departed to the shopping centre meal and some awards for those Argentine culture, such as the for a couple of hours before who had excelled on and off the steak and the BBQ. After the first transferring on to see our first field. And then it was time for night it was a bright and early attraction, Sugar Loaf Mountain. that dreaded plane journey home start with training in the morning, With the sun setting over the which, though long and arduous, a pasta lunch at a local restaurant, peaked hills surrounding Rio, allowed for some reflexion on a and then three games in which the boys soaked in the amazing truly incredible, funny, successful the 1st XV (12-5), the 2nd XV (24- views that greeted us before and memorable tour. 7) and the 3rd XV (22-12) were all heading for the restaurant. With victorious. We then settled down standout performances from Ollie Bingham

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1st XV post Judd match Rugby reports

1ST XV

At first glance this season appears to be a mixed one in terms of results (played 17, won 8, lost 9, pts for 388, pts against 361). These statistics however don’t tell the full story. The team came together in August with a new coach, new systems of play and very tough fixture list. It is to the boys’ enormous credit that they proved so competitive for large parts of the season. It is true to say that when we were bad we were shocking but it is equally true that when we got it right we were exciting, Tonelli running in two excellent Either side of half term we physical and hard to stop. scores. Eastbourne followed and played two of the best school The pack was never outclassed although we were 7-0 down after sides in the south-east and came at any time: from loose head to 10 seconds we came back to win second. Hurstpierpoint thumped number 8 the physicality, skill level in style. The team lost narrowly at us and Brighton looked like doing and game awareness was of the John Fisher and at Trinity in the cup the same before a second half highest level. The backs never quite and then came Juddment Day. performance, showing guts and matched these levels of excellence A massive crowd gathered at determination, saw us score two for long enough periods but they Southfields, and at least the red unanswered tries up the hill. Oli did score many sublime tries and and black section went home Daniels and Ben Chapman were on occasions were impossible for happy. We were a tad lucky but giants during this period. opposition defences to deal with. two excellent tries uphill and some We demolished Langley Park in September saw the team hit heroic defence saw us beat the the National Plate competition and the ground running. Langley Park old enemy for the first time in a then played our most expansive were easily beaten with Luca few years. rugby of the season to win away

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at King’s Wimbledon. This was sneak home by one point. Toby Ponsford takes over as without a doubt the backs’ Several of the players had captain for next season with Ed greatest day with Alex Nicholds outstanding seasons and all of Shepherdson as his vice-captain. to the fore. the players contributed massively I wish them both well. Reed’s came to Southfields to the team. No-one made more Finally, 1st XV Captain, Ben and won by 4 points. Luckily the tackles than Tod Skinner, Isaac Chapman, led the team from the ref allowed one of our tries when Jones played every minute of front and greatly deserved his our touch judge started waving every game, Luca Tonelli was end of season selection for the his flag to celebrate, only for the top try scorer among the backs. England counties team to play score to be ruled out for a foot Oli Daniels rampaged around all Ireland in Dublin. His leadership in touch. The Reeds’ full back season and probably made more and performances throughout the explained to the ref that the try yards than any other player. The season show that he is a player of was indeed good and he reversed line out was brilliant and so many the highest calibre. his decision. tries came direct from set plays at CEEVIC away followed in the this breakdown. Robbie Chattel Alex Presnell plate and we arrived to play against led the line out team and got a team of monsters. They tricked almost every call right. SQUAD: us by sending their two small Zak Brockman at half back J. Martin, H. Hopgood, T. Skinner, players onto the pitch first followed was feisty and hardworking B. Chapman, T. Ponsford. by what looked like extras from an (ultimately our best three- E. Follows, R. Chattel, episode of Land of the Giants. We quarter), while Alex Nicholds D. Johnston, O. Daniels, were simply awesome and won (prior to a season-ending injury) O. Edgley, Z. Brockman, I. Jones, by 30 points. We then slumped to was getting better and better. Ben E. Shepherdson, A. Nicholds, four defeats in a row albeit narrow Rowe was outstanding when he B. Rowe, B. Gibson, L. Scully, ones: Eltham, RGS Guildford, was eventually spotted in the 2nd L. Tonelli, G. Spice, S. Ray, Sherborne in the plate quarter final XV and brought into the centre. J. Palmer, H. Moore, S. Shepherd, and Campion. Next season begins early C. Macdonald-Gay. Our last two games of the with a tour of South America. season saw amazing results. Big opposition and big steaks PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Ipswich were ahead 26-0 at the await the lads when we touch Oli Daniels break only for us to come back down in Buenos Aires. If all goes PLAYERS’ PLAYER: and win 29-26. The following well I would not want to be in Ben Rowe week we led Chislehurst and Langley Park’s shoes on the first CAPTAIN’S AWARD: Sidcup 22-7 at the break only to weekend of the home season. Ben Chapman

2ND XV

10 wins from 13 challenging matches illustrates the success that we had as a team this year. An ambition to succeed was evident from the enthusiasm shown at pre-season and this translated into our first three games producing three convincing wins, with an impressive 92 points difference. Our fourth match of the season against Cranbrook 1st XV resulted in our first loss in a tight 19-22 game in which we were uncharacteristically ill- ›

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› disciplined and decision making to an extremely strong and well- to capitalise on out-wide. Above was inconsistent. Like all good drilled Brighton College side, we all we were coached to always teams, we reflected on our bounced back with two physical have a better work rate than the performance and with the help fixtures against Reed’s and KCS opposition. Undoubtedly two of our dedicated coach Mr Keys Wimbledon. Evidently with an players who stood out in this we improved as a squad and average of 29 points scored each department were Henry Drew went on to another 3-game win game we possessed an attacking and Cameron Keys. From deep streak. Despite ending up with mentality; however, it was cuts on the face to dislocated seven injured players after just undoubtedly our try-line defensive shoulders and a few KOs we 50 minutes played, hat tricks efforts in the latter stages of each certainly had our fair share of from both Ollie Bingham and game that enabled us to see out injuries. (The most severe being Ben Rowe ensured the first of these wins. After defeating an that to Cameron’s eyes, with a few these games was a destructive athletic RGS Guildford side, a grains of sand ending his game). high scoring 52-15 win against match in which we were reduced Combining Year 13 experience Brentwood. The following week to 13 players from yellow cards with Year 12 exuberance we was Juddment day. With an to both our scrum-half Ollie embodied the true Skinners’ spirit injury-ridden side we pulled Bingham and our ‘slide-tackling’ with a desire to ‘play for each together and despite the chaotic winger Seb Collins, we achieved other’. Collectively we had highs, nature of the match we came out our third 3-game win streak of the lows, and most importantly an on top with a solid 15-8 victory. season. abundance of fun. In contrast the following match Whilst we made a habit of was a hard fought attritional battle scoring tries from lineouts and Jack Sambrook against a strong Hurstpierpoint interceptions the consistently side, with a tense finish asFinn strong performances in the PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Holden kept his nerve to kick forwards from Archie Barwick, Ollie Bingham the winning conversion from the Pierre Lefebvre Du Prey and PLAYERS’ PLAYER: touchline with two minutes to Henry Moore ensured we often Archie Barwick spare. had momentum for the likes MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Following a narrow 2-point loss of Will Bone and Eddie Jones Charlie Evans

3RD XV

A competitive air was brewing during pre-season training, with the old U16B team determined to re-unite as a 3rd XV. Bolstered by eager transfers from the U16As and complemented by an Eastbourne and a Tech defector, the boys were ready for a season like no other. The insider knowledge helped us easily dispatch Eastbourne 50-0 in an opening that was to set the tone for the season. School after school fell to the mighty 3s whose forwards strategies that drew surprise James Murphy’s magical hands. and backs worked in harmony, from opposition and spectators Whilst, at times, we were communicating with a deftness alike. The mighty Dan Barber out matched in size, each boy that only matched their cunning, scored the piece de resistance, in stood tall, with our crafty hooker developing eclectic new a game plan expertly deployed by boldly staring down impending

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doom, as a juggernaut from Magdalen College School and that haven’t just enjoyed playing Reed’s loomed upon him. Yet we Merchant Taylors’ concreted their together on the pitch but become prevailed, keeping our 14-5 win reputation as a team to watch, comrades in arms. Converting to secure. Ball after ball slammed finishing 4th and 5th respectively create the school’s first 2nd XI in: whether Ted Peachey on the in the national all-comers and hockey team, their reputation and wing or the wonders of Adam performance leagues – Jak Jago ideas live on. Wherry ducking and diving his our star scorer; Dan Barber way through. kicking us home. Tom Woolard Not deterred by distance or an For a team of mostly L6th ensuing barrage of battles, the aficionados, I was proud of not PLAYER OF THE SEASON: 3rd XV took 6 games in 3 weeks only their near perfect season Jak Jago in their stride, capably led by Tom but their seasoned perfection. PLAYERS’ PLAYER: Woolard whose calm presence Traveling to Belgium for their very Adam Wherry maintained their composure. own mini-tour in May, it was clear MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Epic adventures to Harrow, that they had become a group Laurie McCabe

4TH XV

This year marked the beginning of a new chapter for senior rugby at Skinners’, with the establishment of the first ever 4th XV to represent the school. The demand for another team in the sixth form is a credit to the remarkable talent and depth of rugby players in the upper and lower sixth forms this season. Captained by hooker Will Colyer, the season began with an experimental first match against a strong Cranbrook which ended in defeat, but it was a performance of commitment from the boys necessarily all go our way. in which players found their feet or affect their work rate in the The last match of the year was alongside new teammates and training sessions before their next a fairly informal 10 a-side match at a new level of the game. There game, which came in the form against Bennett’s 1st XV, a good was a lot of promise on the pitch of a rematch against a mixed experience for the boys playing and it certainly boded well for Cranbrook side. This game ended in a slightly different format later matches. in a 27-14 victory, a reversal of the against a school not renowned Next, we had our first home earlier result against Cranbrook for their rugby but who had a game, against King’s Rochester’s in their first game, which is number of talented players. It 2nd XV, which ended in a testament to their unfaltering ended in a comfortable victory, resounding 67-0 victory. The boys work rate and commitment to with exceptional tries from Jake were respectful and played to the improving as the season went on. Lynch who showed great pace on best of their ability throughout, After this the boys played in a the wing to run in a high-quality showcasing their maturity when 3-way sevens tournament held at brace. finishing as strong winners. Bennett between the hosts, us The first ever 4th XV season Following this victory, two of and a French school. They enjoyed was a resounding success. Under the 4th XV’s next three fixtures a day played in good spirits with the leadership of Will Colyer, were unfortunately cancelled, some high-quality rugby from all all of the boys were excellent but this didn’t dent the level the sides even if the results didn’t ambassadors for the school and ›

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› demonstrated heaps of talent Milner who all showed great 4th XV can be extremely proud of which will no doubt be carried on pace and agility as well as sturdy the performances they put in and into next year. defence in their first season in the legacy they have helped to Jack Borrett kicked senior rugby. leave and which will hopefully be consistently from #10 all season In the forwards, Will Colyer continued in years to come with long, with support from fellow and Oscar Brown set examples a similar level of commitment Year 13s Charlie Reed, Joel in every match and were to senior rugby. They have been Goddard, Alex Bush, Tom supported brilliantly by a legion a credit to themselves and it’s South and Ollie Giles who all of talented Year 12 forwards, been a pleasure to be a part of made numerous metres in the including the likes of Josh a historic season in the school’s backs and set superb examples to Garcia, Ben Hislop, Oliver senior rugby history. the lower sixth players. Their work Lloyd, James Poulsom and was replicated by Alex Hanks, Rupert Flynn. Tom Woolard Cory Van Tongeren and Luke Everyone who represented the

U16A

2018 marked the dawn of a new era. Mr Watts’ reign had ended, so we hailed our new leader, the rugby genius from the Emerald Isle, Mr Fleming. In pre-season training the boys soon realised he meant business and, with winning in mind, he enforced new standards of discipline. “Early is on time and on time is late” was the mantra as we embarked on the season. The team also benefitted from the rugby masterclasses of Nigel Pooley and Gareth supporters flocked to witness flashes of ginger brilliance,Euan Challingsworth who helped the 7-15 result. Unfortunately, the Symonds who commanded play with the forwards and backs team encountered some more with his booming instructions at respectively. The impact of the demanding opposition when we 10 and James Challingsworth extra coaches was felt throughout met Hurstpierpont, Eastbourne who mastered elusive running, the season with powerful mauling College, KCS and Brighton. In are also worthy of mention. and sharp back plays being two these games, the teams battled With a successful and areas of significant improvement. well but despite strong attacking enjoyable year behind us, we The first game of the season play and some formidable look forward to our tour of South was a triumphant 34-17 win defence, we did not get the America in the Summer and the against our old rivals, Langley results we needed. However, the start of senior rugby next season. Park, who were considered team finished the season and one of the best national teams their 5 years playing together with Ben Dufty and this performance gave 5 consecutive wins. us confidence as we headed Standout performances this PLAYER OF THE SEASON: into the year. Other notable year came from newcomers Alex Dan Newman wins were against John Fisher, Briggs and Owen Walker, who PLAYERS’ PLAYER: Cranbrook, Reed’s School stepped up well and thrived in Ben Averill and perhaps most satisfyingly the A team. Dan Newman, who MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: against Judd, where Skinners’ carved up the opposition with Alex Briggs

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U16A

U16 squad at the Stoop, December 2018

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› U16B

This season, the U16B team added itself to the historic and illustrious list of undefeated teams from Skinners’ School – an impressive achievement. Scoring a total of 389 points in 12 games, we only conceded 60 points in the entire season. The work ethic, the energy and the unity of the team were rewarded with a very high standard of play and plenty of good wins. This resulted in us holding the number one spot in the England Schools League for eight consecutive weeks. (playing at outside centre) for his an essential member of our team We had two pack leaders outstanding kicking throughout with his invincible optimism and this season: Max Hurditch and the season which was finally to very high level of support for each Ciaran Hutchinson (who went save our winning streak in the and every one of us at all times on to spend the second half of penultimate game of the season. and in all weathers. His dedication the season out on the wing). We were pushed to our to all of us was much respected Both played with class and absolute highest standard of and appreciated. confidence, urging the forwards rugby in a number of matches All in all, this season was one on in every aspect of the game. this season. However, we were of great success, teamwork and Special mention must go to pressed the hardest by RGS determination and I think it is one the front row (Dan Brelsford, Guilford in our second to last we will remember for a very long Sam Fineman, Jared Rose and game. Falling seven points behind time to come. Marcos Purse) who collectively fairly early in the first half, we won the most improved players’ came back and equalised just Tom Forsdick award thanks to their hard work before half time. Our defence in and excellent, positive attitude that second half was quite simply PLAYER OF THE SEASON: on and off the pitch. outstanding, holding up a try from Tom Forsdick The backs also had an RGS in the last seconds of the PLAYERS’ PLAYER: outstanding season both in match with four of our number Marcos Purse training and in matches, working putting bodies on the line for the MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: hard to get the results we wanted team as a whole. The final score Dan Brelsford, Sam Fineman, and deserved. Special mention remained 7-7. Marcos Purse and Jared Rose must go to Ollie O’Leary Our coach, Mr Randall, was (the front row)

U15A Mr Beck worked us all hard and the highlight of our 2019 season we came back soon after with a and it was great to finally beat our A difficult start to the season convincing win over Eastbourne closest rival. saw the U15s lose in a close College. John Fisher and The season as a whole has match to a strong Langley Park Sevenoaks saw us lose another seen a 50% win rate and the side. Our pre-season training two very close games and we team have grown both mentally had proved that our fitness was were devastated to lose James and physically and the boys are all much better than those who Orpin with a broken collar bone, improving their individual game we faced yet we still needed a after his recent return to rugby. dramatically. Jonah Houghton boost of confidence and better Beating Judd at home in front of has shown his unbelievable organisation. a large crowd was most definitely work ethic and he, Jacob Kench

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and Alex Pincott have all been accepted to represent Kent. And the mighty Nick Edwards and Jack Ponsford have been picked for the Saracens squad. Good shift boys. Jack Ponsford

PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Etienne Lawrence PLAYERS’ PLAYER: Alex Pincott MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Jack Marnane

U15B This season has had its ups and downs for the U15B team, ultimately winning 8 out of our 14 games, including the Judd game for the first year ever. We began the season with two strong wins against Langley Park (36-7) and Eastbourne College (67-0), with a notable mention to Luke Walter for five tries over the first two games. We then suffered two losses against John Fisher (15-42) and an U16 Brentwood side. Our next and biggest game of the season was against The Judd School. We had lost the previous in a hard-fought loss, missing throughout. 3 years and this year we went many of the key forwards. The Mentions go to Tom Vincent at into it with eager anticipation as next game was a 5-33 loss to second row and vice-captain, Josh we felt this year was our year. another strong Reed’s School side. Ilsley at full-back, Floris Faulstich After a hard fought 60 minutes After a weeks’ break we came and Monty Campbell-Johnston from every player we won 14-0, back to a strong Eltham College for scoring tries consistently all with a special mention to Floris team but won comprehensively season and to Alfie Glass at Faulstich for the game winning with a 67-5 score with three tries number 9. try by intercepting the ball and from Ben Boyman. We returned running through multiple players after the Christmas break for a 22- Ben Fearon to score. 19 win against Campion in another This was followed by two wins hard-fought game. Every single PLAYER OF THE SEASON: against Hurstpierpoint College (33- game of the season was hard Joshua Ilsley 19) and Brighton College (24-14) to fought and nobody ever gave up PLAYERS’ PLAYER: begin a promising looking 3-game no matter the score, I believe the Ben Fearon win streak, which was ended the overall record does not represent MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: next game against King’s College truly how hard everyone played Monty Campbell-Johnston ›

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› U15C If you look at the stats from the U15C team’s season this year, you may be initially struggling to find positive things to say. It is true that we didn’t manage in the end to win a single game, but if you think this reflects an unsuccessful season then you couldn’t be further from the truth. The manner in which the boys conducted themselves throughout and the constant desire to play and train and learn was truly admirable, and there was a clear development of all the boys’ so almost all players had to play games each. Our defence was characters throughout the fixtures. the full match week in week out, strong, with Conor McIntosh and The season started with a which is in itself an impressive Oscar Chatfield demonstrating difficult trip to Brentwood which feat. Substitutions were a exceptional tackling technique wasn’t helped by numerous luxury we were rarely afforded, and determination in stopping injuries in the warm ups and the which meant that the backs and opposition attacks. opening stages of the match. I especially the forwards were All in all, it was a season for know the boys won’t want me playing at a high intensity with no development rather than results. to make excuses but we did find hope of a rest break. Each of the boys finished the ourselves playing numerous times In the games that followed season with more experience, with less than 15 men over the Brentwood, we suffered more cohesion and a greater course of the season, and in this disappointing losses to Judd, rugby awareness than they first game we were forced to Hurstpierpoint, Brighton started with, something which borrow a player from Brentwood College, KCD Wimbledon and will be invaluable to those who when a barrage of injuries left RGS Guildford, all strong rugby choose to pursue the calling of us with only 13 players. This was schools who performed to a senior rugby which awaits them an interesting sight to behold very high level and with great in the next few years. I sincerely watching a Brentwood student sportsmanship throughout. wish all the boys the best of in red and black dancing his way On the plus side, we averaged luck with their progression in the through his school mates and over two tries a game thanks game and hope to see them next tackling them in defence, but our to our attacking rugby and a year on the pitch giving their all boys were very welcoming to him willingness to play in a direct for the school once more. on his one match loan spell. fashion, with Theo Norton and Our squad was never huge and Jo Price scoring in multiple Fergus McIntosh

U14A season is that our versatile team We work as a fantastic team could perform no matter our built upon talented individuals. The U14A team’s season opposition or conditions. Not only Some stand out more than others, was what I believe to be an is the team strongly united on and but everyone has put in the equal incredible season with a win off the pitch, in the classroom, but amount of energy needed to percentage of 92%, only losing we are a team that win and lose get to where we are today, all the one game to our dreaded as one. We play with smiles on willing to improve into a better rivals Judd. our faces knowing that we have team for the upcoming season. Another reason why I believe the potential to be one of the best As a team we scored 467 points that the U14A had an incredible teams in Kent and England. conceding only 115 points which

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are incredible statistics that represents our team very well. Looking back on the season, the boys put on a great show for every single game and we would have never been able to play how we play without our sensational coach Mr Pursglove. Ultimately, it was a real honour to captain this team and an honour to participate in the tough games and the +50-point games with the boys whom I enjoy playing with so much.

Ruben le Roux

PLAYER OF THE SEASON: PLAYERS’ PLAYER: MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Tom Mosley George Burgess Gregor Pauling

U14B Looking at this year’s results we can conclude that this year has been a great success. We won 8 games, drew 1 game and lost 6 games finishing with a point difference of +9 and 309 points scored. However, we certainly should have beaten the likes of Eastbourne, KCS Wimbledon and Chislehurst and Sidcup which could have made our playing record look even better. This year the boys have trained immensely hard, throughout the cold, wet and muddy winter the speed at which the game boys went through in the season. months. The motivation to come is played went substantially If the boys continue to remain train every Tuesday and Thursday up, it was great to see from as focused and as driven as they and then to play a match on the off the boys fronting up to were this season, then next the Saturday, really shows the this new challenge. As a cohort season looks very promising. I boys dedication and love for the boys really improved as wish them all the best and look their rugby. I cannot fault their the season went on leading back fondly on my time as their commitment and their work to some excellent rugby. We coach. I will also look forward to effort on and off the pitch. In beat Campion School (who had returning and watching the boys training whenever I told them to beaten Judd and drawn with play in seasons to come. try something new, they would Brighton, both teams we had Finally, a special thank you to do it with an abundance of effort previously lost to in the season) the parents for all the support and a smile on their faces. 59-12 in our second to last game, they gave to the boys and me. This year the physicality and indicating the improvement the From washing muddy soaking ›

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› wet kit needed for the very next PLAYER OF THE SEASON: day, to driving the boys across Sam Bolton the county for their Saturday PLAYERS’ PLAYER: fixtures, both we can’t convey Harvey Sherry our gratitude enough to you. MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Harvey Galloway Anthony Storkey MOST DEDICATED: Maurice Tate

U14C

This has been a very good season for the U14C. They have achieved more than they would have thought possible at the beginning of the season, maturing greatly throughout the year, to take ownership of their performances on the rugby pitch and to become a harmonised team rather than a group of individuals. This has resulted in this season’s U14C metamorphosing into a completely different team from last season’s U13C. They continued to improve throughout the season, and the rugby they well and our game plan slowly PLAYER OF THE SEASON: played was much better than became undone. Josh Mathew their 50/50 Win-Loss result The end of the U14C season PLAYERS’ PLAYER: would suggest. finished on a high with wins in Zac Olette When we met with Reed’s the final two games. One thing MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: School, we were fortunate to that the captain and I are most Alfie Phillipson be able to field a full squad, the pleased about is result produced the highlight of that throughout the season a 19-17 win against the season the their U14 B squad. This was a team has shown close game throughout, which the core values the boys very much enjoyed and that are the bricks which was motivational for them. upon which rugby Such a shame that we were not is built; teamwork, able to field a full squad for every respect, discipline, match. sportsmanship and The low point of our season definitely enjoyment. was the second game, a 5-54 The boys walked defeat by John Fisher School. This away from their result was totally unexpected last match with big after Skinners’ U14C made a smiles on their faces, very strong start by scoring a looking forward to try within the first five minutes. next season. Unfortunately, John Fisher was a very physical side, they countered Mat Angus

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U13A

With an early game a couple of days back from the summer, we were a bit rusty and with some poor passing and catching the ball fell to the ground many times. Things improved for our second game against Reigate which we won 35-20, with our wingers playing a huge part. We knew our match against Judd was going to be extremely close but when we went 15-0 down in the first five minutes some thought we had no hope. But we fought for the crest on our shirts and came back to 20-20 with five minutes the rest of the season. 40-5. A result that was testament to remaining. Our wingers were The first match of the new year the great team spirit, and rounding looking dangerous and presenting was against a tough Campion team of a great season. Judd with problems, but they and with our centre taken off by a A huge well done to the team and pushed through a kick in the last spear tackle we were left with 12 a big thank you to Mr Burrows, two minutes and were able to drive men – we did well to come away Mr Sullivan, and everyone else who it over the line. The strength and with a draw. The final game of the supported us throughout the year. determination we took from this season resulted in a convincing win meant that we didn’t lose again for against Chislehurst and Sidcup, Rowan MacDonald-Gay

›

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› U13B

The season for the under 13B team was a successful season with a very respectable win to lose ratio. Our first opponent was Langley Park. Unfortunately, we had a rocky first half and we went on to lose the game despite our best efforts. We were determined to come out on top in the next game, through sheer determination and an excellent performance from the squad we won the game with a great score line. We were full of confidence for the tries past us. Learning from our and we went on to win the next game against John Fisher error, we got one try past our game. Our last game was against School. It was a very close match opponents, just a little too late Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar with each team scoring and then leaving the score at full time 5-10 School, the sides traded points conceding a try. It was in the to Dulwich. but Chislehurst delivered the final minutes when one of our Our next game was against decisive blow. The season that players darted over the line for Eltham Collage just half an hour we had was an all-round success the winning try, leaving the score later. We were determined to and I was honoured to be the line at 20-15 to our side. win the match, we put out a captain of this excellent group of Our next match was against good performance and we left sportsmen. Brentwood, it was a very evenly on a high with a win. We played matched game with neither side Eltham Collage again the next Dillon Ansell striking the winning blow which week, a game we lost by one try. left the game at 20-all by the The next match, I was injured and PLAYER OF THE SEASON: final whistle. Our next match had to watch from the side lines Tom Boyce was against Judd, the squad when the squad faced Bennett. PLAYERS’ PLAYER: were anxious for the game but I was very pleased when the Evan James we had trained hard and we team put in a great shift and put MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: were ready. The whole squad a lot of tries past Bennett. The Jacob Castle gave everything that they had team then faced RGS Guilford, a but Judd came out on top when defeat despite our best efforts. the final whistle was blown. We The next team we faced was were then presented with the Campion School. opportunity to play friendlies The squad against the other two teams played in the age group and we gladly very took it, it was an opportunity well to train in a match scenario. The next two matches to come were on the same day. We faced Dulwich College. The match was incredibly tight with neither team wanting to budge. We let our guard down slightly, but this was enough for our opponents to exploit us and they got two

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U13C

Our season was a mixture of highs and lows. A few large wins mixed with close defeats made us truly think about how we played our games. When tries were scarce our spirits remained high and we kept playing our industrious attacking rugby to our best ability. Throughout the season Bertie Price and Daniel Boyett were our consistent scorers breaking the opposition line at every chance and were a massive help to the morale of the boys. As match number three that we Straw would always fill in and well as Bertie and Dan, George realised that other teams were boost the team to do our best. Dowling was never one to miss also capable of scoring and It has been a privilege to a tackle and Aryan Potharaju we realised that we needed to captain this squad of hard- always cleared the rucks never improve. Mr Wesson soon saw working boys and I look forward letting the opposition take to this. He was a tactical and to what lies ahead of us. the ball. Sam Martin-Young reliable coach who taught us always carried the ball well how the game was meant to be Eli Hardwick and Harry Warren’s quick feet played and turned our team from always dazzled opposition and a group of capable individuals PLAYER OF THE SEASON: spectators alike. into a strong and solid squad. Eli Hardwick We started the year with two When Mr Wesson was unable MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: large wins and it wasn’t until to attend our matches, Mr Dan Boyett

NOTE FROM THE COACH: Eli deserves huge praise for the way he led the team: his example with ball in hand and in defence was huge.

Ed Wesson

›

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› U12A

The season for the U12A team was an exciting one. We started off the season quite slowly but once we started playing together, we started to bond as a team. Our skill and teamwork helped us to an overall impressive season. Our first match was against Langley Park who were a very tough side for our opening match of the season. Though we came out Eltham College (20-45). but made a speedy recovery and with a loss, we put up a very tough Our final three games of the was a player you could always rely fight which ultimately led to a 20-35 season were our best so far, thus on to get the ball and take it up to defeat. proving that practice makes perfect. the other end of the pitch. As well The next couple of games were The first of these was against as Alfie, Charlie Drysdale was also very challenging coming out Campion School which we tucked to brilliant in defence and a person with a well-fought draw against bed quickly securing a 40-20 victory. you could always trust to make that Reigate Grammar School followed The second was a great victory try saving tackle. A special thank by a loss against Brentwood School. against St Joseph’s College winning you to Mr Sullivan who coached Our first victory of the season 40-5. The third and last match of the us throughout the year and always was over our rivals The Judd School. season was against Chislehurst & supported us no matter what the The victory was a very convincing Sidcup Grammar School. We went circumstances. one with the final score being 45-10. all out and were rewarded with our After this, and with a new-found biggest win of the season 50-0. Patrick Brannigan confidence, we then went on to Each one of us involved in the have yet another brilliant victory over U12As felt privileged to be in a PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Hurstpierpoint College (40-15). team such as this one, whether Charlie Pound Our next games weren’t our best on or off the pitch, and I hope we PLAYERS’ PLAYER: performances: a solid draw against can achieve more next year. A Harry Foster Trinity then a difficult loss against special mention to Afie Turland MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: a very well-drilled and powerful who was injured in the first game Charlie Drysdale

U12B our rivals, The Judd School, in the B team players were off in which we lost 10-35. Just a walk Germany. We comfortably won This season consisted of 12 down the road from us, we drew by 50-0. fixtures, two of which were with Bennett Memorial School In a game with Campion cancelled. Throughout the 20-20. It was after this game School, we lost 10-35, with games, we drew one, lost 5, that our team skills really started amazing performance coming and came out with a victory on to improve. In a game featuring from Max Mansley, and 4 occasions. In the first game Trinity School, in Croydon we lost Lemuel Akinsete. In our last with Langley Park, we lost after a good game (5-15), with a fixture, we played Chislehurst with a score of 15-40. great performance from Lemuel and Sidcup Grammar School. In the second game, after Akinsete. We cruised to victory winning a big change in the team, we Next, was Eltham College. We 50-10. This featured a great emerged victorious against had an astounding performance, performance by Nathan Osew. Reigate Grammar School with a in which we won 35-15.Then It was a great way for the team score of 20-5. came the fixture against RGS to finish off the year. After a home game against Guildford, in which we had some We would like to say a special Brentwood School (we lost 10- players from the A team to help thank you to Mr Pursglove for 25), we had a tough game with us out in the game as many of all his time and effort he has

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put into our team, especially all the training sessions in the dark, miserable weather. We feel we have massively improved throughout the season because of him. Josh Adams

PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Josh Adams PLAYER’S PLAYER: Lemuel Akinsete MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Max Mansley

U12C

This season we had 11 matches, 3 of which were cancelled (John Fisher, Dulwich and RGS). Of those played we won 1, drew 1 and lost 6. The first match of the season was away against Langley Park Boys. There had been a lot of tension within the team as we had not done much preparation, however we ended up winning 60-30. It started off tough as they had a player that was fast, tall and strong, and there was only one person who tackled him and he was Maximilian Mansley. a strong attack but were usually shown on ether teams faces. Max played well as our full back out of touch. The match against occasionally getting involved in an The match against Brentwood at Hustpeirpoint College B’s was attack. The funniest moment by home was awful and we lost 15-55. away and ended with a high far was when one of the boys in We started well and were 10-0 scoring match of 35-35. A the opposition got to the try line up. From then on it went downhill. phenomenal hat-trick by Charlie and threw the ball on the ground We were starting to lose faith in Brice running down the wing like instead of placing it, we took the ourselves but then a good pep talk a leopard. No one could catch opportunity and scored a try for lifted the spirits but sadly didn’t lift him. Danny had to step up and Skinners. the score. fillLem’s spot and he did a good The next match we played Judd at home was a narrow job too. There were a few slip was again away against Reigate loss, 10-15. Danny and Lemuel ups here and there like missing a Grammar which was played were the people who finally filled tackle or two but other than that without our star full back Max. We in the hole left at the back. They it was a good match to watch and sadly lost (20-30) by 2 tries. But as helped in attack and defence, be a part of. At half time we were always, we didn’t give up without being our main tacklers. Lem had 20-10 up and then we got a bit a fight. The defence had a hole left been brought in from the B team. too confident and started to lose by Max but we tried our best to fill It was tight all the way to the shape. There were a few times it. There were a few times we had last minute. There was no mercy that the team didn’t completely ›

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› agree with the ref but we didn’t second half was one of the worst the wing. argue. pieces of rugby by this team. The last match of the season In our match away to Trinity our The match against Eltham was away against Campion and confidence was our downfall in away was brutal, and sadly, we ended 45-20. Most of the C team a 20-40 defeat. We were at half lost 25-35. We had a handful of were away on the Germany trip time leading 20-0 then we let our injured players and all of the good so we borrowed a few B team guard down completely. The first things about our rugby had been players. I wasn’t there but I was half was “one of the best halves of completely flushed down the told it was a good game. rugby from this team all season” drain. We did though have Charlie said our coach Mr Pohio. The Brice with his amazing runs down Ehren Waduge U12D The school year started with much trepidation and unease about rugby, many of us were new to the sport (except for a handful who had previously played for a rugby club). However, after our first training session at Southfields all our fears and anxiety were quickly dispelled. Our coaches, Mr Beck, Mr Storkey, Mr Pohio and Mr Sullivan explained the rules, skills and techniques of the game, and before long we were organised into teams and playing our first rugby session, thoroughly enjoying ourselves. astonishing tackles, which resulted rose up from the ashes and kept Our first game was against in a turnover, and Hugo capitalised their heads high which led them Langley Park and we won 55- on this and scored an amazing try. to a successful 3 win streak and a 5. It was a home game and the There were many highlights of that very tight draw at the end of the Skinners’ Rugby D team were game because it spurred us on to season against Campion. ready and raring to go. This was greater triumph during the term. I would conclude that the D their first rugby match, so a win We had a brilliant start to team were very successful this would be a great start to the the year by 2 outstanding wins year and were able to defeat many season. It was kick off time and against Langley Park and Reigate different challenging schools. They the D team were all in position Grammar School. However, were also able to show our coach and ready to play. Lemuel swiftly unfortunately the D team have what they could do in their first kicked the ball to the far end of lost 3 games, one game against year at Skinners’ and they’d made the pitch forcing the opponents to one of our main rivals Judd. Even a good foundation for Year 8. run quickly up the pitch and make though they had lost a few games some depth. Daniel displayed the D team did not lose hope, they Nathan Osew

U12E a tribute to the hard work and Many of the boys had limited rugby motivation of the boys to learn experience and knowledge, so it The strength and depth of U12 and improve their rugby. was great when reflecting on the Skinners rugby is evident when The U12Es have been a season, to see that there were over looking at the number of teams particularly enjoyable team to coach 13 boys from the first match of the Skinners’ has put out this season. due to the huge development of E team that had either moved up to The high participation rates are the players throughout the season. a higher team or played games for

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the As through to the Ds. This was hugely down to the boy’s hard work and focus when being taught new skills in both after school and school time sessions. Overall, we won 1 game, drew 3 and lost 1. All the games were played with lots of energy and enjoyment. We were unlucky to draw so many games, notably coming down to game management in the last few minutes of each game. I say to all the boys in U12 rugby that it doesn’t matter whatever team you’re in. If you continue to practise all the core skills of rugby you learnt this year – your passing, tackling and develop will put you in good shape PLAYER OF THE SEASON: fitness – you can take your rugby as for future years to come. Jacob Crouzet far as you want. The hunger you’ve MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: shown this year to learn and to Anthony Storkey Luca Osman-Price U12F This season was the first taste of rugby for many Year 7 students, and the U12F team certainly enjoyed some great moments and successes across the 5 games they played. The first game of the season against Langley Park fell on the first weekend, so with little knowledge of the game of rugby or their teammates, it was great to see all the boys having fun and putting on a good performance in a match which ended in a loss 4 tries to 14. Three weeks later, after some periodically switched every big wins against Trinity School well attended training sessions five or so minutes, meaning Croydon and RGS Guildford to and games lessons, the boys that our fitness was going to cap off a stellar start to these showed their rapid development have to be strong to compete. lads’ rugby careers at Skinners’. with a 17 try to 12 victory against The boys gave everything and All the boys were exemplary Brentwood. narrowly lost 13 tries to 10, with throughout the year, and a Next came the first Skinners’ exceptional performances from special mention should go to v Judd derby for the boys, and Joe Grossman, Dan Taylor, Joe Oliver Wye and Joe Grossman it was a brilliantly fought match Donaldson and Noah Kraft, to who played in every U12F which will give them plenty of name just a few. All the boys game this year and did so encouragement for the future. played and behaved impeccably with consistency and constant We played the match against in a good example of what the improvement. a squad of 24 players, which grudge match is all about. was two teams of 12 who We finished the season with Edward Wheatley

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The Rugby Sevens Season

1ST VII is a lot of promise with this year end rugby Judd just came out on group for the future. top by an extra conversion. All the The 1st team sevens squad squad performed well, with special attended the Kent Sevens and mention to Rowan and Ruben finished third in their group. U14 VII who managed to tackle everything This meant we went into a The Year 9 squad entered the all day and didn’t go off at any point plate competition. The quarter Kent Sevens competition on a throughout the afternoon. final was against Dartford miserable wet and cold day. The Lastly the boys had the Kent Grammar School. whole squad refused to let the Sevens at Eltham College where Luca Tonelli picked up a weather affect their desire and we were drafted into the top hamstring injury, so we lost some commitment to the cause. tier event. Here they would play pace in our backline. This meant Their effort was outstanding five other schools in their group that Dartford won, three tries to and we managed to make the and wherever they were placed two. A good effort but our fitness final and for a second time play a would be their Kent ranking. We needs to improve if we want to very good Rochester Maths side. were able to ease past Maidstone contend at the top in the County Redemption was on their minds, Grammar, Langley Park and 7s tournament. but wet and muddy conditions, Rochester Maths with some meant not much sevens being fantastic running from Lawrence, played and Rochester came out Ryuichi and Jacob. The other U15 VII on top. The team did the Skinners’ 2 games were tough fixtures. The U15s were involved in two badge proud. Special mention Again, we played a well drilled tournaments. Judd Sevens to Tom Mosley and Ruben Le Judd side who managed to beat was a great success for the Roux for excellent running and us in the last play of the match. boys. Some excellent speed defensive prowess. and power on display by Alex Pincott, Jonah Houghton and U12 VII Jack Ponsford. The whole squad U13 VII The Year 7 sevens squad came together and in a round The Year 8 sevens squad worked very hard this term. robin tournament managed progressed well over time They were able to incorporate to win all 6 of their games. A in their sevens season this game understanding and brilliant squad effort, where the term. They attended three attacking and defensive plays boys came away with the Judd tournaments, the first being from their 12 a-side season and Sevens Shield. at Judd, a competition that apply them into practice in a The second tournament was proved tough for our boys. completely new game. the Kent Seven, the Skinners’ We came away with 4 Their levels of fitness improved team managing to top their group losses and 2 wins. Noticeable greatly and the whole squad through wins against Bennett, performances from our top try had excellent focus throughout. Chislehurst and Sidcup, Gravesend scorer Ralph and Dan, with The squad attended the Eltham Grammar and Sevenoaks. Going Rowan leading and motivating the College Sevens Festival, where into the quarter finals, the team team, even when the team lost. they finished second in their played a physical St Olave’s side. Next was the St Olave’s group. They then went onto play Unfortunately a sin bin meant that competition. The squad turned up second in the opposite group we played with six players for a new team after some promising against Langley Park. A hard- two minutes. Luck did not go our training sessions. Despite the fought game that unfortunately way in this match, the ball was poor weather, the boys topped the ended up in a 4 try to 2 loss. Very dropped over the line in the last group and went through to play impressed with the boys’ effort, game and with such short games the winners of the other group. desire and motivation throughout. it was hard to get another score. This happened to be Judd and The boys did very well and there after a fantastic game of end to Truman Sullivan

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U16 VII this Skinners’ still finished 1st in mistakes leading to a full-time the group with 3 wins and 1 loss score of 12-12, the game now The Rugby Sevens Season The annual Kent Sevens and they were to meet Simon going to golden try. Skinners’ tournament at Sutton Valence Langton in the quarter finals. kicked off and after 2 minutes on the 14th of March marked Skinners’ began the quarter- Reuben Edwards made a pivotal the one and only sevens final excellently, some big turn over and gained the ball tournament for the U16s. carries from Ben Averill and for Skinners’. Skinners’ looked Despite only having a handful Dan Newman putting us on good with some strong carries of training sessions, Skinners’ the front foot, followed by from Jamie Wildman and Max went into the tournament as some quick hands from Euan Johnston getting us up to one of the heavy favourites, Symonds and Ben Dufty to put Maidstone’s 22. However, some after being the runners up three James Challingsworth in the great pressure from Maidstone years ago and winning the corner. At half time Skinners’ forced a turnover, Maidstone tournament two years ago. had a commanding lead of 17- then proceeded to play some Skinners’ started the pool 0, reciprocating the style they great rugby allowing them to well, beating St Olave’s 29-0, played with in the first 3 pool enter Skinners’ 22. Skinners’ put Gravesend 22-0 and Duke of games. In the second half there in a huge defensive effort before York 20-0. In the penultimate was some great team interplay Maidstone finally crashed over to game Skinners’ faced Eltham with a few outrageous offloads clench the all-important try. The College, it was a must win game from Barney Stone and some final score 12-17 to Maidstone. for Eltham after losing to Duke great fends from Harry Child, the The final was then Eltham of York. Skinners’ started poorly game finishing 29-0 to Skinners’. vs Maidstone. Eltham blew finding themselves 0-14 in the The semi-final was against Maidstone away to win the first half, it was after some hard Maidstone who had started the tournament. Skinners’ came a work and determination Skinners’ tournament well. Skinners’ had respectable 3rd place, the boys pulled the game back to 12-14. some great spells of rugby with played superbly and it was a great In the final few stages Skinners’ some blistering pace from Lance way to end playing together as an had several opportunities but Abbot and Jackson Hamilton. age group. were unable to capitalise, final Maidstone were very accurate score 12-14 to Eltham. Despite and capitalised on Skinners’ Anthony Storkey

OLD BOYS V TWRFC BOXING DAY 2018

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Cricket reports

Chae MacDonald-Gay after scoring 105 against Eltham College in our 1st XI

1ST XI Overall, our 1st XI can be happy with their efforts during the 2019 season. The squad showed real commitment to our revamped winter programme and there was a genuine sense of being passionate about improving as a cricket side. We got off to a good start, winning away at Eltham College thanks largely to a fantastic 105 not out from Chae MacDonald- Gay, and Toby Ponsford taking two wickets. This was followed by a comfortable victory against Cranbrook School. This is our first victory in this Pedder bowled beautifully, taking We had a mixed day at our tournament for over three years. two wickets and only going for National T20 day at Tonbridge On 30th April, the Nevill 47 runs in his 13 overs. School, losing heavily to a Ground was the scene of our The other highlights of strong Hurstpierpoint School annual fixture against MCC. After the season were Bobby before bouncing back brilliantly a full day of cricket, we battled Braidwood’s 75 not out away to defeat King’s Rochester. out for a hard-fought draw. Ewan to Sutton Valence, in a game

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that was narrowly lost with only two overs to go. Ollie Bingham bowled with good control against Cranbrook School taking 4 wickets for 9 runs. Chae MacDonald-Gay managed his second century of the season (a magnificent achievement) in the League Final against Langley Park School. Above and below: our annual fixture against Cricket Week was a real The MCC at the picturesque Nevill Ground success this year, winning 4 out of 5 days of cricket, including defeating The Judd School by over 100 runs, and two T20 games against Tauranga School from New Zealand. A big thanks to all the players for their effort throughout the season. I look forward to building on the success we achieved in future seasons.

Will Burrows ›

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› U15A

After a hugely beneficial winter nets program and a challenging pre-season tour of the UAE the U15A team embarked on their domestic campaign with high hopes for a successful season. Cranbrook School were the first visitors to Southfields in late April: they encountered a Skinners’ team high on confidence and were beaten by 99 runs. Ben Adams 80 not out, Nick Edwards 26 not out and Theo Whittingham 26 St Lawrence College saw Skinners’ School were beaten by large contributed to an impressive total prevail by a single run. A belligerent margins. Ben Boyman hitting a of 167-2. Cranbook were only able 44 from James Nicholson helped fluent 26 against Boys Grammar to amass 68-6 from their allocated to set a total of 120-8. This looked and Ewan Pedder returning the overs and the tone for the season to be 20 runs short of a par score, best bowling figures of the season was set. but disciplined bowling left the against Sutton Valence taking 6 Brentwood School were up Ramsgate school needing 8 runs wickets for 9 runs from 3.5 overs. next. Skinners’ were set a target from the final over.Dan Brice The final game of the season of 123 but lost wickets regularly proved once again that he was at Judd saw Skinners’ post a very throughout the chase. Nick the man to turn to in a crisis, an competitive total of 133-6. Having Edwards anchored the innings outstanding display of ‘death been reduced to 18-3 by a strong scoring 26 vital runs, the tail bowling’ restricted St Lawrence to opposition bowling attack another wagged and set the stage for Dan 6 runs from 6 balls and Skinners’ collapse seemed on the cards. Brice to stride out to the middle made it to the Kent Cup Final by However, the middle order took and crash the final ball of the the narrowest of margins. the fight to the Judd bowlers. innings to the boundary to give The Kent Cup final held at Wye Alfie Glass made a watchful 24, Skinners’ a 2 wicket victory. Cricket Club was played the day James Nicholson bludgeoned The county cup campaign saw after the semi-final. The quick his way to 25 and a partnership the team ease into the semi-finals turnaround didn’t appear to have of 42 for the 7th wicket between with victories over Ravenswood, had any impact on performance. A Will Murphy 23* and Jack Oakwood Park and Eltham College. fine display in the field and with the Ponsford 17* ensured we had a Notable performances in these ball restricted Tonbridge School to total to defend. matches included Ben Adams 108-8 from their allocated 20 overs. The Judd batsmen had no hitting 52 against Ravenswood, Will Murphy 3-19 and James answer to hostile opening Will Murphy taking 3 wickets for Nicholson 2-21 were the pick of spells from Jo Price and James 4 runs against Oakwood Park and the bowlers. Skinners’ began the Nicholson. First and second James Nicholson 4-14, Jo Price run chase in disastrous fashion and change bowlers Will Murphy and 3-3 and Dan Brice 2-0 skittling found themselves 4-4 after only 4 Dan Brice took 3 wickets each as Eltham College for 23. overs. A brave knock by Alfie Glass Judd closed their innings on 82-9. A Langley Park were tougher was the only resistance offered to very satisfying victory to bring the opponents but a solid the Tonbridge attack as Skinners’ curtain down on a great season. performance with the bat, Theo slipped to a disappointing 59 all I would like to thank all the Whittingham 42, Ewan Pedder out and dreams of Kent Cup glory players in the Under 15 A squad 30, Nick Edwards 21*, Ben were shattered. for their efforts this season and Adams 17 ensured Skinners’ Thankfully, the poor batting in wish them the very best as they posted a total that proved to be the final proved to be the only make the step up to senior cricket too much for Langley to chase blip in an otherwise outstanding next year. falling just 6 runs short. season. Tunbridge Wells Grammar An epic semi-final victory over School for Boys and Sutton Valence Rob Pursglove

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U15B

After the cricket tour to Dubai, the Bs were confident coming into the new season. Furthermore, this confidence paired with guest appearances from A team bridge players such as Ben Boyman and Alfie Glass, and we comfortably beat 4 out of our 5 opponents on home soil, unfortunately losing to Judd in our last match. Nonetheless, throughout all of Our fielding was very our matches, the team persevered. consistent throughout the season, Joel Appathurai and To m and our field placements were McConnell were a strong pair of very good, especially in reading opening bowlers, and with Jack into what to expect from dry or Drysdale, Arthur Branch, Eddie wet fields. Lynch and Jacob Kench opening Overall, this season was one of, our batting, we often got plenty if not the most successful seasons of runs. Special mention of Alfie for the Bs in my time at Skinners’, Glass who scored 106 against and this is both due to the opening Cranbrook School, and took 5 tour of Dubai, and our persistent Alfie Glass scored a brilliant wickets against Brentwood School, training throughout the year. 106 against Cranbrook School and was a great captain of the Bs in our U15B fixture. at the beginning of the season. Jasper Pottier

U14A U14 A&B TEAMS This season the U14A team have had a very up and down set of results and performances. The team played well all round though we couldn’t always get the result we wanted. We had many stand out performers this season especially Harvey Galloway, Tommy Acraman and Ashwin Anand. Zac Austin and Nathan Brown both had great seasons with the bat, but the standout performer with the bat was Ruairi Cummings who Dufty both had a very good the season. It was a tough was the team’s leading run season with the ball, however season, but everyone included scorer. Dan Jones, William Tommy Acraman was the in the team learnt a lot and are Russell and Nic Semple all standout, playing for the U15A looking forward to next season. had great seasons all round. in Dubai and producing some Felix Underwood and Henry exceptional spells throughout Harvey Sherry ›

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› U14B contributions with the bat as well as giving the bowling attack some The U14B cricket team has had much needed spinners when a season to be proud of. The necessary. Jesse Scully had a team came together quickly stand-out season as the wicket- at the start of the season and keeper in his first season behind an air of team spirit could the stumps. Finally, a team be clearly seen amongst wouldn’t be complete without the players. Captain Tom some much needed utility which Mawhinney led from the front came in the form of Alex and in every game, having a solid To m Watkins, Alfie Phillipson season as an opening batsman and Louis Coombs all of whom as well as in the field. were able to contribute to every Assistance to the captain did game with the bat or the ball. not go unnoticed as Josh Hoch The side had a season of and Frederick Reid were always wins and losses, but competed on hand to help, Frederick with valiantly in every game with one the bat as an unmoved number of the highlights coming right at three batsman and Josh with the the start of the season where the ball as a staple opening bowler. boys beat The Judd School in their Noah Featherstone-Csillag, very first game, no mean feat Monty Hall, George Thomas against the old rivals. A further and Peter Banister should all special mention should be made be mentioned as upcoming about the game against Sutton cricketers who came into the Valance, where the game was U14B’s side as new players fought until the very last over and quickly adopted the ethos which the boys unfortunately of Skinners’ cricket. All four of lost. A season of positivity and these new players pitched in improvement which can hopefully with fielding, bowling and batting continue into their U15 season throughout the season. Rahul next year. Patel and Maurice Tate should also be mentioned for their Stuart Mitchell

U13A

This year has been a really good and enjoyable season with many fixtures and wins. There have been some stand out performances with the bat, with the ball and in the field. In our first game against Yardley Court the team was a bit rusty and a couple of early wickets fell. However, the middle order recovered and we ended up on a defendable score of 101. We fought through the game and they just got it with 3 overs spare with good bowling from Jake Simmons (3/24.)

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Cranbrook was going to be went on to score 70 with Felix picking up 2 wickets in 5 balls. difficult and even though we Waring helping him throughout At Hurstmere we started didn’t have the best of starts Ben however, we just fell 18 runs very strong dominating the Truscott hit a good 30 to get the short. We knew we had to be a lot bad bowlers and running team up to 113. We bowled and sharper in the field. singles and twos very hard. fielded well withJake Simmons Against New Beacon, we batted Rowan MacDonald-Gay and (3/19) and Oliver Green (2/1) well but giving away a couple Felix Waring created a 105 However, they were just able to get of cheap wickets they restricted run partnership. However, over the line. us to 77. We knew we had to the bowlers did not keep the Judd was always going to be a bowl well: that was exactly what pressure on. difficult game, but that went out of happened and they couldn’t survive We finished on a high with a our heads quickly and we knuckled the pressure. A great catch from good win at home to Sackville, down. After Judd getting 163 on Daniel Pascall in the covers sent and after a very positive season I a quick outfield, we knew we had their opener back to the pavilion. would like to thank, Mr Pohio, Mr a chance. Our openers started Then Ed Ward’s good spell with Burrows and Mr Pursglove. off strong and gave us a good Darshan Anandkumar at the other platform. Rowan MacDonald-Gay end finished the game off in style, Rowan MacDonald-Gay

U13B

It was a season of two halves for the U13Bs this season. Tricky early season fixtures against The Judd School, Sevenoaks A team in the plate competition, and Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School resulted in 3 defeats from 3. However, strong batting displays from Ryuichi Beaufoy and Harrison Tapp meant that their fortunes changed with victories against Tunbridge Wells Boys’ Grammar and Langley Park School. Particular mention has to go to Vishnu Narayan for batting for a long period of time and getting the side over the line in the final over by just two wickets against Langley. They finished their season with a comprehensive five wicket victory at home to Sackville School. The determination to keep improving despite such a tough start to the season is a testament to the boys who played for this side.

Will Burrows ›

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› U12A

In our first game for Skinners’ at Brentwood we lost a lot of cheap wickets, although Josh Adams helped with the bat and Dan Kovoor with the ball. We had two cancelled games after that and one of them gave us a free route to the third round of the Kent Cup, where we faced New Beacon. In the New Beacon game we had Louis Drinkwater who was exceptional with the ball whilst Patrick Brannigan batted (and fielded) superbly. Against The Howard School we had an easy A great base was set by the from Ehren and Levi led us to win pass, although it was nice to win openers but a cluster of wickets by 6 wickets. When we played our first game. Two postponed led to us falling short by two runs, Gravesend we were led by Benji and an abandoned match later, in a game notable for a great spell with the bat and Oscar with the we faced Langley Park. Another by Shri with the ball. bat and ball to win by 9 wickets in a convincing win for Skinners’. It was then the local rivalry. strong end to the season. In the 4th round of the County Skinners’ vs Tech. An amazing catch Cup, we needed 151 to win. by Dan Gul and mature batting Frank Glass

U12B

The Under 12B Cricket team had a fantastic season this year losing only 2 of 12 games and making it to the semi-finals of the Kent Plate, losing out to King’s Canterbury’s A team in the semi-finals. Finding our way, we narrowly lost our first game to Brentwood but rebounded in our next game thrashing our arch-rivals Judd the following week, passing their score of 57 after a mere 7 overs. Our star bowlers for this season were Levi, Finn, David, Freddy and Sam who all bowled run of performances – despite And our aim is to be unbeaten excellently taking many, many losing Levi, Dan and Patrick next season. wickets as well as limiting the to the A team. Thank you to all opposition scoring chances. Our our coaches throughout the Will Sermon best batter this season has to go season: Mr Pohio, Mr Sullivan, to Josh who scored an amazing Mr Pursglove and Mr Beck. 68 runs against Eltham and 48 Congratulations to the whole against Eltham in the plate. We team for putting in so many great managed to continue our great performances over the season.

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U12 C season around with hard defeat to Eltham College to end The boys who represented fought wins against Sir Joseph the season. However the boys the U12Cs showed great Williamson’s Mathematical should be delighted with all enthusiasm and dedication School and Langley Park School. their efforts, expertly captained throughout the season. Dan Strong and Ethan Jones by Charlie Brice. After early defeats to performing particularly well in Brentwood and The Judd these victories. There was slight School, they turned their heartbreak in a narrow 2 run Will Burrows

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www.skinners-school.co.uk 87 SPORT – CRICKET

U15 tour to Dubai

In April, 25 Skinners’ pupils along with four sport coaches departed from Heathrow for a remarkable and life-changing tour to Dubai which will be remembered by everyone who went.

On the first day, after a long- all the bowlers picking up regular Epsom got off to a reasonable haul flight, the Skinners’ pupils wickets. Skinners’ A started their start with Ewan Pedder and had their first taste of what first innings well withEwan Jo Price taking regular wickets Dubai was going to be like. In Pedder and Ben Adams adding but towards the end it looked the afternoon we undertook a 96-run partnership but we they were cruising to a win until our first training session in the eventually came 22 runs short. A James Nicholson took the sweltering heat, where many very good effort again and a fairly wicket off their strike batsman were affected. positive start to the tour. leaving them in disarray. The On the second day after a On the third day, all the boys wickets started to fall quickly good night’s sleep in the Al Salam went to the ICC Academy to look after this, the bowling of Dan Hotel, the B team departed for around the amazing facilities for Brice and James Nicholson their first game against Rugby B. teams like Australia and the MCC. eventually bowling them out Unfortunately, the Rugby B put on In the evening both teams had for 145 with Nicholson taking 352 – 6 in their first innings which day night games against Epsom four wickets resulting in a 27- was a total too much for Skinners’ College. The B team batted first run win. A mention must also B, yet a valiant effort saw them and got a reasonable total of 171 go to Will Murphy who kept for reach 141 all out resulting in a 211 with Jack Drysdale batting well. the majority of the innings after run loss. However, Epsom just pipped Theo Whittingham injured his However, in the evening, the them reaching the total with just hand and Nick Edwards was Skinners’ A team played their first two wickets to spare. unavailable to play. day night game under lights in a At the same time the A team On the fourth day, it was a new country against Hampton. were batting first and managed rest day from the two stressful Hampton batted first and to score 172-9 with Theo matches the night before. All the managed a reasonable total of Whittingham and Jo Price boys went to ‘the best waterpark 201 all out of their 40 overs with batting well in the middle overs. in Dubai’ called Yas Waterworld.

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The day was one to remember both teams visiting the Sheikh College B for 121 with Joel with lots of fun and mucking Zayed Grand Mosque for an Appathurai and Tom McConnell around. We then departed Dubai unforgettable tour around one the picking up key wickets. The A to arrive in Abu Dhabi where we biggest mosques in the world. In team were less successful and checked in to the astonishing the evening both teams then left after three tiring games, Rugby five-star Marriott Hotel. In the for Desert Safari which involved School knocked off Skinners’ evening we then walked around eight 4x4 Toyotas drifting and total of 153 with just the loss of the Yas Marina circuit (where the sliding over the sand dunes at one wicket with the pick of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is held each rapid pace which was exhilarating bowlers being Tommy Acraman year), experiencing the long 5.5 for everyone who took part and (the only year 9 in the team). km race track. even got a smile on the coach’s Overall the tour has been On the fifth day, the B team face. The evening was finished life-changing. Memories have match was postponed due to with camel riding, sandboarding been made and friendships have bad weather the night before, and traditional UAE food cooked grown. However, none of this whilst the A team match was on the barbeque. would could have been achieved moved to a later time against a On the seventh day, the B without all the coaches’ hard strong Gillespie Academy with team played against Trent College work and determination. A special many Adelaide state players. They B in a resounding win. Skinners’ thank you from the team must batted first and managed a strong B batted first and managed a go to Mr Burrows who went total of 248-5. We reached a good score of 171-7 with key through a lot of stress (especially respectable 160 with Ben Adams performances from Jasper with bus drivers) and time to getting 45. Pottier and Jack Drysdale with organise this whole trip for us. On the sixth day, it was a the bat during the tour. They more relaxing day which saw then managed to bowl out Trent Ben Adams

›

www.skinners-school.co.uk 89 SPORT – HOCKEY

Hockey reports 1ST XI After a few seasons of near misses and having a solid team on paper for this year, we were hoping to make the most of the opportunity and take on the ‘big’ teams with more than just a hope of winning. Mr Beck seemed to agree and as you can imagine we were all thrilled when we discovered Friday mornings were now to become a time for torture with fitness training. After a solid start to the actual season, beating Reigate Grammar 6-2 in the first round of the national cup, it was all we still had the National Plate as 5-3 but who knows what the looking promising. We were our last opportunity for silverware score should have actually been then hit with a dose of reality for the season. Simon Langton as in classic Skinners’ hockey and subsequently conceded were to be the next opponents style only one keeper turned up. 11 goals in the next 2 games and so another joyous trip up Merely a day later with half the being knocked out the County to Polo Farm in Canterbury was team still aching from the night Cup by Kent College and being in order. The game could have before we were facing Churcher’s knocked out of the National Cup been won by either side, both College in the quarter final of the by Tonbridge. However, this loss enjoying opportunities to win the National Plate. Being the biggest to Tonbridge ended up being to game but failing to capitalise on game of the season so far, the our advantage as we entered the the chances. The game therefore team didn’t disappoint as we National Plate. After seeing off ended up on flicks again, on the put in the best shift all season Rochester Maths 4-3 the best same pitch, at the same end we defending as a unit and not time of year was nearly upon lost in the final a year ago. This letting anything past. I’m writing us as the Frank Mason was just time we remained composed this season report now but the around the corner. Having lost in winning the game. season is far from over with the the plate final last year on flicks Sevenoaks School next, and we prospect of National Plate semi- we were determined to return seemed to irritate them with our finals and hopefully finals to greet with some silverware this time every move before seeing them us after the Easter break. around. A relatively disappointing off 4-3. We even managed to group stage saw us come third preserve our good old non-private Oscar Brown and end up in the plate again. status at the end by ‘borrowing’ a Cruising through the quarter few of their balls and by Mr Beck finals and being 2-0 up in the claiming half of the match tea as semis we were confident of his dinner. Playing the Old Boys EDITOR’S another finalist place. However, is always a fun game, and with NOTE: complacency seemed to get the the promise of returning legends better of us as we went on to such as CJ being there, it wasn’t Unfortunately, the 1st XI were concede two goals, get a couple to disappoint. After Ben decided defeated in the semi-final by of cards, and end up losing again to experiment by heading the Seaford College! But this was on flicks. Nevertheless, this hockey ball and some masterful a very successful season disappointment didn’t get to us as short corner routines, we won

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2ND XI team ahead of our first game inspiration to drive us forward. Our against Caterham. For the very biggest game of the season was With the Rugby season ending, first time, we stepped foot onto against Dulwich and with only two Mr Coltella’s 3rd XV decided a hockey pitch, as a team and we substitutes, it was a hard match. to turn their heads towards were overcome with excitement. With fantastic performances from hockey. So, with the addition It took a while for us to get to the likes of Sam Tripp, saving us of a few new players, as well grips with the dynamics of a in goal on numerous occasions, as the thirds, and Mr Coltella’s real game scenario but by the crunching tackles from Te d expertise, we were ready to end of the first half we were in Peachy and beautiful playmaking begin our first Hockey Season. a good position. Despite losing from Ollie Bingham, we were With most of our team having the match, we knew that as we in the lead by half time. A strong never played a match of Hockey gained more experience and a defensive performance paired in our lives, we were faced with better understanding of the game, with the fantastic link up play a difficult season ahead of us. things could only get better. between the midfield and attack, Tasked with the reputation of As the season developed, we meant that we went on to win the being the first Skinners’ Second developed as a team at an even game 5-3. Finally, a 4-0 win against Hockey team in history, it was a faster rate and a 1-1 draw with Sevenoaks was the icing on the daunting prospect, but we were Cranbrook was evidence of our cake for a fantastic season for the ready for the challenge. So, we success. Despite defeat to Sutton 2nd XI. began training, practising and Vallance, we held our heads working hard to develop as a high, and we used the loss as Jak Jago

U15 This season was cut short due to two or our matches being cancelled, resulting in us only having two matches. However, in the two matches, despite them both being losses, the team put up good battles and against quite strong sides. In our first match against Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical we narrowly lost 1-0. Ben Boyman played in the team for the first time and had a very good game up front. Jasper Pottier was very strong playing at the back. Lenny Saville and Ben Brown both had a lot of chances but unfortunately couldn’t put away the goal from a short corner with any goals. Our second match was James Nicholson. Mr Coltella against a very strong Cranbrook has organised an U15B team side. Both Zachary Olette and nearing the end of this season and Toby Sambrook were brought with only a few training sessions up from year 9 to play this match the players in the team have a and they proved perfectly capable come a long way. They are hoping to play up a year. To b y was to have some matches maybe this solid at the back, with Zachary year but definitely next year and strengthening the middle. The years to follow. score, unfortunately another loss, was 2-1 with Ben Brown getting James Nicholson ›

www.skinners-school.co.uk 91 SPORT – HOCKEY

U14

The U14s had a great season this year. Everyone’s hockey came on leaps and bounds from last season. This was truly reflected in a fiery first game of the season against Sackville School where we came out 3-0 winners, and debutant Zach Olette snatched a brace for us, while Harvey Sherry hit a menacing reverse and other debutant Josh Matthew helped muster all the enthusiasm the team could need. Unfortunately, the next game did not result in another boys and we looked forward to whistle blew for a dramatic 0-0 resounding win. Instead we the next game where we would draw, all were happy at the vast were knocked out of the cup be facing once again Cranbrook improvement they had shown. competition against a physical School – a side we were Finally, a special thanks to Mr Cranbrook side in a harsh 0-2 desperate to improve against after Pohio and Mr Beck for relentless defeat. The boys were even more the previous defeat. The game hard work to give us the best disappointed when the final was filled with the intensity of a possible season and inspiring us whistle blew for the next game cup final and desperation from every step of the way. The boys against King’s Rochester and we both sides. The boys put in an can’t wait for the new season. were 0-1 losers in a game with immense effort doing themselves countless chances for us to take proud against a tough physical Toby Sambrook the lead. Yet this did not deter the opponent and when the final

U13

With one season of Skinners’ hockey already under our belts, we began this term with much hope and excitement for the year. The season started off with a seven a side tournament in Canterbury. We naturally started quite slow, not helped by the fact our first choice goalkeeper was unavailable. However, we grew into it and even with some very tough fixtures in the tournament, we held our own and went back to Skinners’ having recorded our first two wins of the season. This, Beck and Mr Burrows we began facing a strong Sackville side at though not a bad set of results, to improve and work better as a Hawkenbury. We played very well motivated us to put more effort team. considering we were so new to into our training sessions and We then went on to our this type of hockey. We came out with help from the coaches Mr first ever eleven a side match with a creditable 3-1 win after a

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very good performance from the and showed passages of hockey believe that our team made much whole team, a glimpse of what that we could only have dreamed progress, especially as for some, we hope to see next season. Our of at the start of the season. it was their first season playing. next trip was again to Canterbury, One of our most memorable We look forward to next season in this tournament we saw that matches this season was an and the exciting prospect of the our hard work was paying off away game at Judd. Again we tour to Holland. and we managed to handle our played exceptionally well, though opponents much better. We everyone was gutted when we Ben James played to a much higher standard narrowly lost 5-4.On the whole I

U12 U12A Both Year 7 hockey teams have improved immensely over the last 12 months. The players have shown great potential and a willingness to improve, leading to a variety of team selections. At the beginning of the season, many of the players were just trying to get to grips with the technique, basic rules of the game and the pace, having never played before. However, many players exceeded their expectations and this is thanks to the help and support of Mr Beck and Mr Pohio, and our goalkeepers Thomas Parker and Tom Harris. As anyone who played a match in the A team can agree, patterns of play came U12B in very useful. In the first match, both teams were merged as they had not yet been split into an A and B team. This was intimidating for us as we were playing our greatest rivals, The Judd School. However, many could agree that when watching us, it would be very hard to believe that we had never played before. In the first quarter, we played well as a team and went 1-0 up. The second quarter came and Judd stepped up their game and came in very attacking. By the half way mark, it was 1-1 and the first team were willing to after, the score was 3-1 and the at the opposition’s goal is likely to get back at them. 3rd quarter was not yet over. cost you a goal and when it was Soon However, constantly trying to get a tricky player like Judd’s striker, ›

www.skinners-school.co.uk 93 SPORT – HOCKEY

› Thomas Parker was left isolated different for Mr Pohio’s B team got in an early goal before the in a 1v1 leading to a Judd goal. as a 4-1 defeat came their way goalkeeper could get changed. After that, Skinners’ managed after an impressive performance However, Langley managed to to pull off one more goal before from Cranbrook. Nonetheless, equalise. In the B team match, the end of the 3rd quarter. As the Skinners’ put up a good battle it was just not their day as they final quarter came, Skinners’ were and kept playing as a team. Both suffered an 8-0 defeat. happy to take a 4-2 win against teams used this match more as a However, the most important Judd. However, we all kept playing learning experience than a defeat. thing is the team work, effort and until the final whistle and finished The next game was against a determination put in to Skinners’ it off with a 5-2 result. significantly late Langley Park, a hockey throughout this whole After the first match, many peculiar game as it was only 15 term. It is certain that everyone is had started to become familiar minutes long. The legs of Langley looking forward to next season. with the rules of hockey and how Park were fresh and ready to play to play more comfortably but it hockey as much as ours as they wasn’t quite enough as Cranbrook brought a strong, able team. The Joe Hetherington and won 3-1. The story wasn’t too A team got at them quickly and Rohit Dev

… the most important thing is the team work, effort and determination put in to Skinners’ hockey throughout this whole term

94 www.skinners-school.co.uk the SPORT – LEOPARD 2018-19 FENCING

Fencing report

The British Youth Fencing Championships were held in Sheffield in May 2019. Oliver Barlow competed in the U12 and Matthew Kohler in the U16. Both fencers have done extremely well in their first season of competing. Oliver got off to a good start winning 5 out of 6 matches. In the knockout rounds he quickly won his L64 and L32 match before losing his L16 match to the eventual silver medallist. Oliver finished 10th out of 61. Matthew had a tough first round where he was drawn against many current England and British squad members. He won 1 out of 6 matches, setting him up for a tough first knockout match, where he found himself 8-2 down in the first couple of minutes, before rallying the score to 9-7 after the first period of the match and eventually losing the match 15-8. Matthew finished 44th out of 51. Matt scores a point in his knockout match Taran Nicholls

Ollie on the right fencing in the L16

www.skinners-school.co.uk 95 SPORT – FOOTBALL

Football reports

1ST XI Darwin, a nerve shredding home players who represented the win over Harris Academy Orpington school this season. Your effort, The target for the senior football and yet another big victory over commitment and talent has squad was simple, match or our local rivals St Greg’s which contributed to another fantastic better last season’s third place saw Charlie Dumas (3), Owen season of football. I hope you finish in North Kent Division Williams (2) and Alfie Barclay enjoyed it as much as I did! 1. A strong nucleus of players hitting the net in a crushing 6-1 win. remained from the previous Once again, the football season Rob Pursglove campaign, and they were joined was severely affected by the by a number of talented Year weather and a run of postponed PLAYER’S PLAYER 12 students who were eager fixtures meant that any thoughts OF THE SEASON: to represent the school on the of a championship winning season Alfie Cubberley football pitch. were curtailed and Skinners’ had COACHES PLAYERS Early season expectations were to be satisfied with a second OF THE SEASON: dampened by two heavy defeats consecutive third placed finish. Harry Cohen and in the first two matches, 9 goals I would like to thank all of the Arthur Ollivier De Saint Aignan conceded and only 1 scored. However, hard work on the training ground saw the squad Efe Shimwell is making great by the current England Blind begin to gel and confidence was strides in Blind football. He team manager. We hope that restored by a convincing away currently has regular 1 to 1 one day Efe will make his full win at Ravensbourne School. sessions with Brighton and England international debut, Alfie Barclay, Oli Welbourn and Hove Albion, and in June was which would be a very proud Owen Williams all getting on selected by the FA to attend the moment for all involved in his the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory. IBSA Blind Football European development. An away fixture at local rivals St Youth Camp in Hungary for 5 Meanwhile Sam Firman and Greg’s saw the team play some days. Efe also attends three Felix Waring continue to thrive scintillating attacking football to Developing Talent Camps with in Brighton’s Development which the hosts had no answer. the FA every season, delivered Squad. Watch this space! Alfie Barclay (5) and Charlie Dumas (2) getting the goals in a 7-2 win. A Kent Cup fixture against An away fixture at local rivals Premier Division Norton Knatchbull St Greg’s saw the team play some saw the team beaten by the odd goal in a game that could, and scintillating attacking football to probably should, have been won. which the hosts had no answer This was to be the last defeat for several months; the confidence gained from matching a Premier Division school was transferred into an unbeaten run that lasted from mid-November until the final game of the season at the end of March. 20 goals were scored and only 3 conceded in the next 9 games, a run of form that included a 2-1 away win in a feisty encounter with reigning champions Charles

96 www.skinners-school.co.uk the SPORT – LEOPARD 2018-19 SKIING

Skiing reports

Joshua Wakeling’s run of Competing in the Kent Schools’ Championships in Chatham in successes, as the 2018 May 2019, Skinners’ sent 3 teams: summer series of dry ski slope races came to an TEAM 1 TEAM 2 TEAM 3 end, continued. Joshua • Joshua Wakeling • Joe Taylor • Bertie Riolo races within two regions: • Joseph Pannell • Thomas Parker • James Parr London and the South-East, and Southern. At the end • Ethan Gillespie • Alex Ralph • Dominic Nutland- of the Southern series in Frankel • Matthew Bentham • Jack Bentley- Christchurch, Dorset he was Bowers • Joshua Leake 2nd in the U18 competition and was also ranked 2nd Although some nerves showed in the first runs, all the boys showed place overall in the U18 commitment to improve and represented the school very well. In the section for the season. knockout dual slalom Joe Taylor was part of a team that came 4th out In Chatham in early October, of 15 teams. The final results showed that Team 1 came 2nd in the Joshua came 1st in the U18 senior competition and Team 3 (all new to dry slope racing) came away competitions and was awarded with silver medals in the lower senior competition. 1st place overall for the season in London and the South-East Marna Wakeling in the U18 category.

www.skinners-school.co.uk 97 SPORT – SPORTS DAY

Sports Day report

Sports Day took place on the last Friday of the Summer Term. Whilst Atwell led for much of the day, by the start of the relays, the gap had closed. Hunt won three relays so the Athletics Cup came down to the tug of war, which in turn hinged on the Year 12 match. Overall results saw Hunt take the trophy by 3 points from Atwell.

Five school records were broken this year. YEAR 8 TRIPLE JUMP: Daniel Pascall (Hunt) with 10.84m – previous 9.97m in 2018; YEAR 10 TRIPLE JUMP: Jack Ponsford (Nicholson) with 11.32m – previous 10.77m; DISCUS: Chris Dolley (Knott) with 35.3m – previous 26.9m; 1st: 1436 - Hunt 1500m: 2nd: 1433 - Atwell Matthew Taylor (Knott) 3rd: 1355 - Nicholson with 4m 27s – previous 4m 51s; 4th: 1308 - Knott YEAR 12 TRIPLE JUMP: 5th: 1301 - Sebastian Alex Thomson (Sebastian) with 12.03m – previous 11.23m in 2018;

Alex Thomson, who also won the 200m, was awarded the Victor Ludorum trophy.

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Athletics reports

ESAA ROUND INTERMEDIATE BOYS JUNIOR BOYS 2: 373pts: The Skinners' School 5: 262pts: The Skinners’ School 1 RESULTS 12.4s = 19pts Christian Dolley 12.6s = 24pts Daniel Pascall 100m 100m 13.9s = 7pts James Akerman 15.1s = 6pts Daniel Nortey 23.9s = 24pts Jack Ponsford 28.6s = 16pts Toby Edwards 200m 200m 28.0s = 11pts George Burgess 31.8s = 8pts Alex Sambrook 41.3s = 20pts Joseph Ryder 48.2s = 12pts Owen Watts 300m 300m 39.7s = 24pts Lenny Saville 51.3s = 8pts Eli Hardwick 2m29.9s = 13pts Lorcan Pritchard 2m40.6s = 13pts Thomas Boyce 800m 800m 2m28.3s = 13pts Ben Strebel 2m49.2s = 10pts Oliver Green 4m38.0s = 18pts Henry Taylor 5m34.9s = 10pts Ben Lees 1500m 1500m 4m23.6s = 22pts Matthew Taylor 5m38.2s = 9pts Oscar Taylor 12.2s = 24pts Alex Pincott 16.5s = 7pts Jack Evans Hurdles Hurdles 14.4s = 13pts Eduard Cummins 16.6s = 7pts Alexander Mainds 63.1s = 1pts 61.8s = 8pts Relay Relay = 0pts = 0pts High 1.62m = 20pts Jonah Houghton High = 0pts Jack Evans Jump 1.41m = 13pts Eduard Cummins Jump nr = 0pts Eli Hardwick Long 5.46m = 19pts Joseph Ryder Long 3.92m = 11pts Ben Lees Jump 4.71m = 12pts Lenny Saville Jump 3.52m = 7pts Daniel Nortey Triple 11.51m = 19pts Alex Pincott Triple 10.79m = 22pts Daniel Pascall Jump 10.88m = 16pts George Burgess Jump 9.44m = 16pts Oliver Green 8.18m = 9pts Ben Strebel 9.57m = 18pts Lawrence Callow Shot Shot 6.94m = 5pts James Akerman 6.24m = 7pts Daniel Boyett 32.20m = 23pts Christian Dolley 23.27m = 17pts Toby Edwards Discus Discus = 0pts : 16.93m = 11pts Alex Sambrook nr = 0pts Lorcan Pritchard 12.93m = 5pts Oscar Taylor Javelin Javelin 33.64m = 16pts Ewan Pedder 17.05m = 10pts Owen Watts 22.44m = 12pts Jack Ponsford Hammer = 0pts :

DAVID FULLBROOK David Fullbrook completed his Skinners’ career by coming 7th at the South East Combined Events Competition. We look forward to seeing how his athletics David Fullbrook – Combined progresses at Bath University. Events Finals

www.skinners-school.co.uk 99 SPORT – CLIMBING

Climbing report TRAMPOLINING ACHIEVEMENT

During this year’s Boulder with a score of 243/250. During Brighton Inter Schools Climbing the finals, in which the three Competition, Skinners’ entered a top scoring students from each team of nine Junior competitors school would have five minutes (Alex Maltby, Kit Roberts, to complete 5 blocs, the three Daniel Fidler, Thomas Croker, Skinners’ students (Thomas Sam Sherwood, Ben Evans, Croker, Ben Evans and Alex Robert Riolo, Leo Burness and Maltby) succeeded in achieving Alexander Gallagher), who 5 tops out of 15 collectively, had an incredibly successful unfortunately not maintaining qualifying round, in which their first-place qualifying status. everyone worked their way The Skinners’ Junior team came around a total of 25 Blocs in fourth overall, which whilst not (climbs) where they would the score we had hoped for was be judged on the number still a success. of attempts it took them to complete each one. The juniors Alex Maltby performed exceptionally, seeing scores in excess of 200 out of 250. The Junior team qualified EDITOR’S for the finals of the competition NOTE: in 1st, scoring higher than any Meanwhile the Senior team of the 6 other schools attending, went on to retain their Inter Isaac Woollard after winning the with Alex Maltby coming 2nd Schools Bouldering title. individually in the Junior category Benenden Trampolining Tournament

100 www.skinners-school.co.uk the SPORT – LEOPARD 2018-19 LIFESAVING

Lifesaving reports

Henry Russell-Ross and Jack Henry Russell-Ross also rest of Great Britain and Ireland to Field won gold medals in the 16-17 represented the South East become National Champions. The years manikin and medley relays Region with his pairs partner National Lifesaving Championships at the Welsh Stillwater Lifesaving Archie Chapman (brother of competition is also made up of a Championships in October 2018. Skinners’ rugby captain Ben) at Line Throw Rescue, a Swim and In addition, Henry won individual the RLSS National Lifesaving Tow Rescue and a pool based Gold and Bronze medals and Jack Championships in Leeds in emergency situation Aquatic individual Gold and Silver medals in November. Competing in the age Initiative Test. Overall Henry and the competition. 12-14 age group, the boys, who Archie came 6th nationally. are both members of Beacon Lifesaving Club, won a Gold medal in the Dryside Initiative Test, where competitors are given two minutes to deal with a real life scenario involving a staged emergency situation with actors playing live casualties. Points are given for following first aid and safety guidelines. They were calm under pressure and dealt with the situation beating 15 other teams TRAMPOLINING representing regions across the ACHIEVEMENT

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www.skinners-school.co.uk 101 SPORT – TABLE TENNIS

Table tennis reports KENT SCHOOLS was defeated by the number next match they faced Salesian, 1 seed. Overall the day was from Surrey, and again won 5-3. TEAM EVENT successful and we came out with a The final match in the group was man on the podium. against a very talented team from The U16 table tennis team Eastbourne, St Andrews Prep consisted of Noah Featherstone Dan Jones School. At the half way stage, Csillag, Dan Record, Dan Jones Alex Ralph took his opponent the and Jake Wright, who are all in The Year 10 players fought hard in full distance finally winning 15-13 Year 9. They soared through the their group and did not manage to in a nail-biting fifth game.Eddie , group stages beating Maplesden get past the group and all therefore Oscar and Ben all won their games 8-0 and Danecourt Grammar B 7-1. went into the consolation cup. Ben helping out the team to another Next was the semi-finals where Barton went out in the last 32 5-3 victory. Skinners’ were now they faced St Johns B who they and Jamie Smith went out in the through to the semi-final as group beat comfortably 6-2. After waiting last 16 to a fellow student in Year leaders. Here they faced Edge for the other half of the draw to 9. Rithvik Dhanapal and Arthur Grove, Hertfordshire, runners up finish we started the final against Branch both won their last 32, last in the other group to Westgate, Herne Bay High. After a tough fight 16 and quarter final ties and met the leading team and last year’s it was 4-4 and it went to count- each other in the semi-final. In a winners. back. Unfortunately, we lost by 1 hard-fought contest, Arthur won in Now Skinners’ only had to beat set to take silver medal. 3 sets and progressed to the final Edge Grove to qualify for a place and Rithvik entered the 3rd/4th to go to Bristol for the regionals. Noah Featherstone Csillag place playoff. In the last matches The competition was tough and of the day, Rithvik played well and the first game forOscar was lost unfortunately lost in 3 sets and to their best player. Nonetheless, Arthur won the tight final in the Skinners’ were not finished there, KENT SCHOOLS consolation cup in 3 sets. It was Eddie went on to beat their second a great day and we all owe our ranked player in the fifth game, INDIVIDUAL thanks to Mr Pohio for organising a 13-11. The next two matches did not EVENT fantastic day! go well as the opposition won both of those with relative ease. To keep The U14s participated in the Arthur Branch Skinners’ hopes alive, Eddie had to Kent U16 individual Table Tennis win the next game. He managed to championships at the Howard defeat him 3-0 and the score was School. Noah Featherstone now 3-2 with Skinners’ only one Csillag, Dan Record and Jake ENGLISH behind. However, the next three Wright all won their groups, but SCHOOLS CUP matches were just too tough for Dan Jones came a close second Skinners’ and the final score ended in his and therefore through to ZONE FINALS 5-2 to Edge Grove. the consolation cup. Dan Record The Skinners’ U13 table tennis Skinners’ had a good run, and all then played Jake Wright in the team, consisting of Eddie the parents, teachers and students round of 16 and Dan won going Gillhouley, Oscar Owen, Alex should be proud to have a team through to the quarter-finals. Noah Ralph and Ben Forrester, perform so well against such solid won all his games making it to the travelled to Morpeth School, East opposition. semi-final.Dan Record however London to compete in the Zone Congratulations to Eddie lost in the quarter finals against 7 finals against the winners of Gillhouley 8K, Oscar Owen 7K, Noah and one other. Noah then the other home counties. Drawn Alex Ralph 8S and Ben Forrester did amazingly and beat the number in a group of four, Skinners’ got 8A. 2 seed in the semis and made his off to a good start beating Harris way to the final. In the finalNoah Riverside, from Essex, 5-3. In the Eddie Gillhouley

102 www.skinners-school.co.uk the SPORT – LEOPARD 2018-19 BADMINTON

Badminton reports

disheartened we went into the After this, we played Dartford LOCAL next match against Sir Joseph Grammar who were the toughest Williamson’s Mathematical School team by far (they would later win QUALIFYING which unfortunately led to another the tournament). We lost this 4-1. defeat. Nevertheless, we came However, the next match was the In January the U14 and U16 back strong against Canterbury one we had all been waiting for. badminton teams went to Academy with a clean sweep of Judd vs. Skinners. We lost one Sevenoaks School to compete 5 sets to 0. Unfortunately, for the singles, however, we continued in an area tournament against rankings we placed 4th due to undeterred, to a great victory. Sevenoaks and Judd School. it becoming a three-way tie and The first match that we played counting on the amount of points was against Judd. We played rather than sets. 5 games and we won 3-2. The For the U16s it was a cloudy, games were very tough and it Tuesday morning when the team went down to the last doubles met at the sports hall. After game; which we won 21-16. I Mr Randall asked us if we’d think our overall performance was invented an own clothes day quite good but we could have (due to a shambles of kit), we cleaned up our games with less embarked on our adventure to mistakes. Our next match was Gillingham. Along the way there against Sevenoaks School, this was some classic badminton fixture was much better and we team banter as I declared myself won 5 games to 0. We played ‘Team Leader’. We arrived at the confidently and won every game venue and after a seemingly convincingly. long wait, began our first match. Our first opponent was Sir Joseph’s Mathematical COUNTY FINALS School. After trying to fit their name on the score sheet, The U14As started the the game commenced. We tournament strong with won this match 3-2 and determination with nothing went straight into the next other than a win. match against Simon That’s what we accomplished Langton. We won this winning 5 sets to 0 against Dane match 3-2 with a close Court. We continued this winning doubles at the end to streak with our next match add to the extreme against Judd with a deserving tension. We then win of 3-2, with much ease. played Homewood Next came Gravesend Grammar which was a lot School who we just narrowly tougher than the lost to with a point difference of last matches and Sam Bowen, Joshua just 1 in the deciding match. Not sadly we lost this match. Mathew and Rohan Gupta

103 www.skinners-school.co.uk www.skinners-school.co.uk 103 ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

› Young Enterprise

The full Young Enterprise team gathered at the start of the production process for our Christmas sales

Our school’s debut Young flourish, but also preventing more the day – the Best Trade Stand Enterprise team successfully glass waste from going to landfill. Award. won three awards at the Of course any business All this culminated in the Young West Kent competition; these needs to sell, so that’s precisely Enterprise West Kent Finals include the Best Trade Stand what we set about doing. The Night, a fantastic showcase of 2019 and a clean sweep of Rotherfield Primary School all the outstanding competition. the ‘Journey Award’, with Christmas Fair was our first After (hopefully) wowing the Isaac Fellingham-Adkin and trading opportunity, which was a judges with our business Jamie Tucker winning first and resounding success for the team, knowledge and our stand, we second place respectively. which filled us with confidence headed to the stage for the After forming the company at for our future endeavours. This presentation. The whole night the beginning of September, we led onto the Skinners’ Christmas was excellent, being topped off toyed with several ideas, before fair just two weeks later, which by the prizes that we won. finally settling on recycled glass, forced us to put the pedal to the The whole competition our main focus point. This concept metal in terms of production. process was a brilliant experience lent itself nicely to our company After a two month hiatus, for the whole team, with name: ClearlyEco. We began which was unfortunately everyone learning skills of straight away by collecting the inevitable, we smashed back business management, financial bottles and jars that we needed into the competition with the accountability and the difficulty of for our products, which wouldn’t Tonbridge Farmers Market. running a business. have been possible without the Despite the poor weather generous donations and support conditions, our team’s sheer of the school community. Thus, determination and resilience paid Jamie Tucker and Isaac not only helping the enterprise off; bagging us the top prize of Fellingham-Adkin ›

104 www.skinners-school.co.uk a5 _2019ai.pdf 1 01/05/2019 14:55:33

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Ridge Crest Cleaning Tel: Email:

Web: › SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability reports

ECO COUNCIL

The new eco council is creating waves of populations. In the new academic year we will change at the school. begin looking at helping other local wildlife and We have made great strides in helping the assessing the impact that human activity is wildlife living at the school. having on them. We have also been working We raised over £90 in January, some of which with the Gardening Club to make the school a was spent buying bird boxes to put up around more wildlife friendly place – this year the new the school. At a time when once common birds pond became home to hundreds of tadpoles. such as sparrows and starlings have declined Hopefully the wildlife at the school will continue by over 50% in the last few decades, it is to flourish against a backdrop of national wildlife more important than ever to help our local bird losses. ›

106 www.skinners-school.co.uk the LEOPARD 2018-19

› We have already implemented waste. In February we received place. Marcus Budack’s a recycling scheme for crisp a visit from Tideway’s Head of waste fermenter provided an packets which, while proving Environmental Sustainability, who innovative and, most importantly, controversial at first, is becoming helped us to identify areas of the sustainable method to deal increasingly popular. With plastic school where we can improve our with food waste. We hope to blighting the land and seas own sustainability. Later on in the continue to improve the school’s alike, threatening the survival of term we visited Tideway’s London sustainability and reduce its countless species, we all have office overlooking the River carbon footprint, with the support a duty to do everything possible Thames, where we presented of the whole school community. to limit our plastic use, as well our own ideas on how to make as the way we dispose of our the school a more sustainable George Hoff

›

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

SHARES4SCHOOLS 2018/19

The Skinners’ Investment Club participated in the Shares4Schools Competition for the first time this year and won the regional competition. The Shares4Schools Competition is unlike any other student trading experience in that it deals with real money and live trading. The Skinners’ School team, comprising of core members James Corcoran, Joshua Asprey, Jesse Gerscher-Connolly and leaders Jack Field, Matt Roberts and Gabriel Shemirani invested and traded £2,000 over The trade stand that won our a period of 9 months and succeeded in making a 7.5% return for its team the Best Trade Stand investors in some very uncertain trading conditions. Award 2019 at the Tonbridge The experience has given the team a better understanding of the Farmers’ Market importance of researching positions very carefully, how timing is everything in order to maximise returns and not to get emotional when it comes to investing. Since most of the team had personally invested their own money they were more risk averse when it came NCH ESSAY to decision making than they perhaps would have been with other WRITING PRIZE people’s money. Some of the team enjoyed the thrill of investing so much that they are considering careers in the field and they will Congratulations to Hugo be given an opportunity to spend an afternoon with leading London Wood who was shortlisted brokers when they attend the awards ceremony on 17th October at for the National College of the Mansion Hall in London. Humanities essay writing prize, for his piece on Nudge Theory. David Crothers

www.skinners-school.co.uk 107 LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS 2019

Business Semih Altinpinar UCL Engineering Thomas Graham Leeds Oliver Peach Bath Biology Management Vincent Bailey Aerospace Business Nottingham Henry Grant Reading Economics Benjamin Pettitt UEA Ladd Engineering Management Real Estate Harry Baird Reading Harry Green Southampton Medicine Joseph Phillips York PPE Management

Alexander Bankier Strathclyde Business Analysis Callum Harris Loughborough Economics Harrison Plant UEA History

Real Estate Management & Alfie Barclay Reading Samuel Harrison LSE Economics Oliver Portch Bath Management Marketing Architectural Contemporary Mechanical Stuart Beech Nottingham Sam Hedges BIM Cameron Pretsell Greenwich Engineering Music Engineering French and Jack Bensted Bristol Matthew Holland UEA Drama Isaac Quinn Liverpool Politics German

Samuel Bersey Exeter Maths William Holmes Sheffield Journalism Filip Raffelt Chicago Liberal Arts

Mechanics w/t Daniel Billin Loughborough Geography Jamie Hood Oxford (Keble) Maths Sam Ray Bath Automotive Eng

William Bone Exeter Law Herb Hopgood Exeter Physics Alfie Read-Fulcher York Natural Sciences

Aerospace Business Cambridge Andrew Bonnick Leicester Matthew Horlock Liverpool Alistair Reed History Engineering Management (Fitzwilliam) Int Design Jack Borrett Bath Dara Hughes Warwick Film Studies Charlie Reed Bristol Economics Engineering Business Jake Brinton Nottingham Trent Business Joshua Hughes Lancaster Samuel Richards Birmingham Physics Administration Politics & Int Zachary Brockman Exeter Samuel Hughes UCL Physics Cian Richardson Lancaster Economics Relations Economics and Oscar Brown Exeter Conor Hutchinson Cardiff History & Politics Dominic Rigby Bristol Physics Politics Aerospace Philosophy & Alex Bush Southampton Ben Isbell Edinburgh Matthew Roberts Bath Economics Engineering Politics

Kazimierz Bzikot UCL Physics Thomas James York Human Geography Luke Robinson Loughborough Computer Science

George Campbell Nottingham English Daniel Jaworski Bristol Physics Joseph Robson York Biology

Owen Cantwell- Glasgow Civil Engineering Matthew Jennings Birmingham Geography Jake Rule Oxford (New) Physics Kelly Ravensbourne George Castle Digital Film Making Daniel Johnston Oxford (St.Hughes) Engineering Jack Sambrook Exeter Law College of Art Benjamin Economics and Cardiff Hugh Jones Cardiff Medicine Freddie Sard Exeter Biology Chapman Finance Physics and Robert Chattell York Isaac Jones Bristol Physics Thomas Sard Exeter Philosophy Astrophysics Accounting and Int Relations & Joshua Collard Newcastle Business & Finance Samuel Jones Southampton Lucas Scully Oxford Brookes Finance Politics

Sebastien Collins Birmingham Geography Adam Kayyali Birmingham Philosophy William Shoosmith Imperial Biochemistry

Nicholas William Colyer Newcastle Medicine York Economics Henry Sikorski Exeter History Labuschagne Environmental Thomas Court Leeds David Lawrence York Physics Hugh Simmons Oxford (St Hugh’s) Physics Science History and Int Mechanical Alfie Cubberley Birmingham Medicine Charles Lethaby Exeter Edwin Sims Nottingham Relations Engineering History and Film Oliver Daniels Durham Physics Joshua Linsey Manchester Tod Skinner Exeter Physics Studies Gregory Davies- German and Portsmouth Pharmacology Jed Llamas Bristol Civil Engineering Jay Smalley Warwick Webb History Politics and Int Vishnuviraj Dhir Bristol Law Alexander Lord Nottingham Trent Clark Smith Loughborough Geography Relations English & Creative Aerospace Joshua Dixon Warwick Oleg Lyakh Edinburgh History Ethan Smith Bath Writing Engineering Charles Business & Thomas Donno Bristol Physics Exeter Thomas South Exeter Natural Sciences Macdonald-Gay Management English and Film Mechanical Ben Doyle Leeds Joshua Martin Surrey George Spice Durham English Literature Studies Engineering Finley Max- Accounting and Business Benjamin Ebbage Sussex Philosophy Reading Oliver Stevens Leeds Williams Management Management Rose Bruford Creative Lighting & Oliver Edgley Bristol Geography Daniel Maxted James Stoney Durham Geography College Control Politics and Int Josh Feakes Bath Economics Fergus McIntosh Bristol Theodore Tebay UEA Politics Relations Arts University of Folan Flaherty Fashion Felix Meulenkamp UEA Computer Science Ryu Tsukada Bright Leeds Law Bournemouth Cambridge Elliot Follows Exeter Maths Max Messer UCL Architecture Jacob Turner English (Queen’s) Biomedical English/American Albert Fones Bath Joshua Mistry Kent Jacob Turnham Portsmouth Physics Sciences Literature

David Fullbrook Bath Economics Luke Morgan Plymouth Law William Tweedy Durham English Literature

Philosophy and Alexander Galpin Edinburgh Max Murphy Liverpool Physiotherapy William Vo Sussex Social Sciences Politics Business Sebastien Genest Leeds Geography Alexander Nicholds Liverpool Finlay Walsh Bath Architecture Management Arthur Ollivier de International Oliver Giles Aberdeen Physics Leeds Edward Whitby UEA Philosophy Saint Aignan Relations German and Int Relations and Oliver Goldstone Warwick Jack Palmer Loughborough Design Engineering Alexander Whitfield Exeter History MFL

Finlay Gordon Durham Chemistry Thomas Parker Sheffield Material Science Laurie Whittaker Warwick Engineering

108 www.skinners-school.co.uk Sara Venn Urban Gardener & Founder of Edible Bristol

Make sure We believe that life should be lived outdoors. they’re ready Discover, explore and for anything live it with us. Nigel Riches Travel Photographer

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OCC4384_14005 CO The Leopard Skinners School Advert 242h x 170w mm.indd 1 28/05/2019 17:47 the the SKINNERS’ THE LEOPARD 2018-19 SKINNERS’ school school

1910 - 1911

John Austen Charles Beecher William Bennett John Booker

1903 - 1905 1902 - 1909 1907 - 1909 1906 - 1907 Edmund Allen Ernest Anscombe Leo Barnard Robert Bourner Eustace Bowhay Robert Brown Thomas Browne 1895-1900 1908-1910 1910 - 1911 1913-1914 1898-1906 1908-1911 1903 - 1906 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas

Cecil Clifford Harry Colbourne Orazio Corte Alfredo De Duca

1912 1894 - 1899 1908 - 1909 1909 - 1913

Eric Buckley Anthony Cheeseman Claude Clements Aylett Cushen Howard Davy Ian Dempster Albert Dennis 1903-1908 1892-1897 Floreat Sodalitas 1895-1901 1903-1910 1903-1909 1915 1899-1901 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas

Walter Elleray Richard Furley Nelson Greenyer Henry Grove

1906 - 1909

1911 - 1914 1912 - 1914 1908 - 1910 Cecil Down Henry Drader Robert Dunn Frank Elwin George Fenoulhet Arthur Francis Owen Hairsine 1905-1909 1906-1909 1899 - 1904 1904-1909 1903 - 1904 1908-1912 1899-1906 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas

Louis Henning Lionel Hodge Frank Holyer Wilfred Hoskins

1900 - 1904 1904 - 1906 1905 - 1909 1900 - 1903

Sydney Hall Homer Herring Alan Hobbs Benjamin Hobbs Vernon Holden Victor Hollis Wallace Hoptroff 1907 - 1908 1910 - 1911 1904-1909 1905 - 1912 1906-1907 1902-1907 1888-1890 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas

Albert Javis Gilbert Kennaught Arthur King Albert Leggatt

1903-1906 1900 - 1903 1911 - 1912 1900 - 1903

George Hudson Maxwell Hughes Reginald Jenneway George Jones Lewis Knell Charles Malpass Edward Matthews 1905-1910 1906 - 1910 1907-1911 1909-1913 1910 - 1912 1907-1911 1905-1907 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas

Alan O’Kell Edward Henry Phillips Nelson Pinn Passingham

1914 1903 -1904 1903 - 1907 James Mould 1903 - 1904 Frank Oaten Leo Parsons Frederick Pavitt Sydney Payne Gerald Pickett Maurice Pickett

1905-1912 1907-1912 1910-1911 1911 - 1915 1907-1911 1902-1910 1902-1910 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas

Ernest Provis Rupert Shedel Kenneth Shelton Charles Slocombe David Smith Allan Stapley

1905 - 1909 1914 1888 - 1895 1910 - 1911 1913 - 1915 1905 - 1906

Ernest Provis Charles Richardson Edward Rush Thomas Simmons William Smith 1888 - 1895 1887-1894 1900-1907 1910 - 1914 1910-1911 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas

Harold Viser Charles Wickham William Work

Sixth Formers holding portraits of all 87 Skinners’

1910 - 1911 1905 - 1910 1902 - 1907 lost in World War One, November 2018. Donald Treacher William Strange William Taylor John Warwick Eric Waters Ernest Wilkinson William Wilkinson 1908 1895 - 99 1911 1904-1908 1899-1901 1906-1909 1906-1913 Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas Floreat Sodalitas the The Skinners’ School Tel: 01892 520732 St John’s Road Fax: 01892 549356 Tunbridge Wells Email: [email protected] Kent Website: www.skinners-school.co.uk TN4 9PG @LeopardTweets LEOPARD 2018-19