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Middle School Newsletter ! ! !Lent 2014! ! Dear Parents, Meanwhile our winning R16 Senior team of Ryan Martin (chairman), Dominie Patel (speaker), and Welcome to our Lent Middle School Newsletter. The Bethan Thomas (vote of thanks), spoke on the subject pupils of R12, R13 and R14 have studied hard and ‘Freedom of Speech is an absolute inviolable participated in a host of extra-curricular activities right’ (led by Mr J. Neville). Dominie also won the with many notable successes. We do hope you enjoy prize for Best Speaker. They went on to represent reading about our action-packed last few months. Wales at the South-West Regional Final at Maisemore in Gloucestershire, where they very narrowly missed Rosemary Hart first place, against the winning team of sixth formers !Assistant Head and Head of Middle School from Concord College, Birmingham. St John's Triumphs at Rotary Youth Speaks Finals Our teams can be very proud indeed of their Many successes against a total of 18 teams from schools congratulations across Wales in such a prestigious national to our competition. Added to the sixth formers' victory in intermediate and the Cambridge Union Debating Competition in recent senior public months, this has been an exceptional period of success speaking teams for public speaking and debating at St John's College. who progressed Congratulations to everyone involved. through the area and Cardiff Success for Mostyn at the Middle School Eisteddfod finals, seeing off Llwyddiant i Mostyn yn Eisteddfod yr Ysgol Ganol competition On Wednesday 5 March, our from Llandaff Cathedral School, Howell’s School, Middle School pupils gathered Cardiff High School and Whitchurch High School together in the school hall for (including several sixth form teams) to reach the our annual Middle School Wales District Final at Urdd theatre of the Wales Eisteddfod. The pupils eagerly Millennium Centre in March. In a tightly fought await this time of year when contest against schools from across Wales, St John's they can celebrate and College came away triumphant, not only winning the embrace Welsh culture; both Senior competition, but also being judged runners-up pupils and teachers have been in the Intermediates. working hard for months in preparation of our much loved Our R13 Intermediate team (led by Miss Staples) afternoon of music, literary performances, celebration deserve particular congratulations, since this is the and friendly competition. Pupils competed in first time the school has entered the intermediate numerous competitions, ranging from stage competition. The team comprised Joseph Shaw competitions including Welsh and English recitation (chairman), Daniel Siromani (speaker), and Marco and solo instrumental competitions to homework Aldridge (vote of thanks). Daniel’s subject was competitions across the subject range. Homework ‘Nuclear Power is the future of energy’. competitions included designing a poster on a Welsh
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scientist and a French poster about their family, to matches at Swan International School, Marbella, name only a couple. It was a close competition, but winning 8-0 and 4-1 respectively. this year, the winning shield moves from the house of On Friday, we St Davids, our winners for the past 2 years to our new transferred to winners; Mostyn! Winners include Emily H in R13C Gibraltar and for her captivating recitation of a Welsh poem ‘Pitsa’ had a relaxing and Harry and Holly J (both in R12E) for their equally morning, before impressive Art pieces. Harry created a mesmerising 2 playing netball foot dragon from papier maché, while Holly decided and football at to bake a dragon-shaped cake for the competition! Victoria Stadium in glorious The main award of the ceremony goes to Morgan R in sunshine. The R12L who was crowned Bard of the Eisteddfod. boys played with Morgan was accompanied by Mrs Emms and Miss great sportsmanship and defended well against a McManus to his chair on the stage, where he was strong opposition. The R14 and R15 girls’ teams draped in our national Welsh flag and presented with likewise played well against strong opponents at his certificate and prize before the formal ceremony Gibraltar’s only girls’ school - Westside School. closed with Morgan walking around his audience, as On Saturday, the they congratulated and praised him for his girls enjoyed exceptional achievement. Llongyfarchiadau, Morgan! their last hockey Congratulations, Morgan!! match of the tour at Malaga R14 RE Buddhist Festival Hockey Club. In February, R14 pupils worked in groups to research Impressive such festivals as Esala Perahera, Songkran and stoicism was Wesak. They found out about each festival's demonstrated by symbolism and reason for celebration, developing a the whole team, presentation to deliver back to the group. Everyone and the match should be commended on their enthusiasm and resulted in a narrow loss of 2-0. We then enjoyed a efforts today. The standard of work and manner in tour of the Picasso Museum, which was of particular which pupils undertook this task was outstanding. interest to our art students, and we even had time to explore Malaga. The boys’ football team finished the After each group presented their festival, they had a tour on a high with a superb victory at Escuela small party game to entertain the crowds relating to Municipal de Futbol grass pitch. their particular celebration. These included a shadow The tour puppet show, meditation station, rain dance, ice cube culminated in melting race and a blindfolded 'place the tooth in the the Sports Tour mouth' to symbolise the festival of Buddha's tooth! Awards Presentation. All pupils were rewarded with Thai crackers, chilli Congratulations dip and chocolate cake washed down with a variety to Aimee of tropical juices to complete the festival vibe! Well Richards, Shane done, R14. Leach, Morgan Gould, Mischa Sports Tour to Malaga - Wed 5 - Sun 9 February. Balaratnam, Following an early flight to Malaga, we arrived in Georgi Hall and James Willicombe for achieving brilliant sunshine and settled into our hotel. We then Sports Woman and Man of the tour, and joint runners walked to the marina for lunch and had a training up. The 5 staff members were very proud of the session on the beach (where the boys even took part pupils on tour. They represented the school in a volleyball competition). impeccably, with many hotel guests, staff and opposing teams commenting on their excellent The tour matches began later that day, with a robust behaviour. The tour was immensely enjoyable and performance from the girls’ hockey team against will be remembered by all involved for many years to Malaga’s national team. The following day, we come. transferred to the Campo FC Municipal Benalmadena astro where the football and netball teams were able In other sports news, the Middle School girls deserve to warm-up. Later that day, the R15 and R14 girls’ special mention for their commitment to gymnastics teams enjoyed impressive victories in both netball and cheerleading this term.! www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com ! !
Exceptional Success in Chess racing. The car was designed using CAD software Of the 250 (Autodesk) children who before being took part in the made at the Cardiff & Vale Bridgend Schools Chess Waterton Centre Championships supported by at Cardiff City EESW. Team Council Offices Stratos designed in Atlantic the second Wharf in fastest car of the February, Daniel day and were Siromani (R13) was crowned Champion of the U15 highly commended for their display, folio and category, Aron Calist (R13) achieved 2nd in the U13 presentation. Thank you to Morgan Cole and Belief category and Ethan was Champion of the Under 8 who kindly sponsored this year's teams.! category. Ethan (R6) was also selected for the top sections of the Welsh Junior Championships in March Young Engineers is mainly aimed at upper Seniors 2014. Congratulations to Daniel, Aron, Edward and and Sixth Form, but any other Middle School pupils Nithin of the Middle School for achieving such interested in being involved in F1 in Schools should impressive positions in the leader table. see Mr Moody for further details. Young Engineers The county cups were presented to Daniel and Ethan, meets every Tuesday lunchtime in room 3.5. in a joint assembly, by the Royal Institution Masterclasses chairman of the In January, two groups of talented young Rotary Club mathematicians from R14 and R15 began an eight- Association and week series of Saturday morning Mathematics Mr Huw Price masterclasses at the University of South Wales, (head of the Pontypridd. The pupils involved in the Key Stage 4 Cardiff Chess classes are Nila Jambulingam, Queena Lee, Tanya Club at the Chiganze, Michael Lingham, Matthew Chung and YMCA). Joshua Chang. The Key Stage 3 pupils are Richard Discombe-Short, Emma Discombe-Short, Aliza Khan St John's College is only one of two schools to have and Dan Josty. The first class involved mathematical two county champions! Well done to all the St John's puzzles, which they all thoroughly enjoyed. pupils involved.! However, Joshua, Matthew and Michael were particularly pleased with their very high score. We have also been competing in the East Glamorgan Minor Chess League since September with Aron Cathedral Choir broadcast live on BBC Radio 4 & Calist as the present captain. Between the schools Easter Concert at St David's Hall entered in the league, St John's College came second, On 2 March, the ahead of Howell's School in third. The pupils are Choir had the determined to build on this valuable experience and great honour of aim to finish at the top next year! Particular being selected to congratulations to our participants, Aron Calist sing the St (captain), Daniel Siromani, Richard Discombe-Short, David's Day Callum McGarvey-Jones, Sanay Goyal, Ed Xiao and broadcast of Nithin Michael (all of R12 and R13). Sunday Worship ! live on BBC F1 in Schools Success for St John's College Teams Radio 4 to an On Wednesday 29th January St John's College entered audience of 1.8 two teams for the regional finals of the F1 in Schools million. The broadcast was very well received, and competition at Swansea Waterfront Museum, we have received lovely messages from across the UK including Richard Discombe-Short of R13. The and even from abroad, including several from members of team Stratos and team Velocity worked professional musicians and musicologists. very hard over several months to prepare an exhibition, a twenty page portfolio, a five minute On 11 March, the girl and boy choristers and presentation and the all important model F1 car for gentlemen of the Cathedral Choir performed their
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annual Easter Concert at St David's Hall to a large and R14 History Trip to the Somme appreciative audience, including highlights from On 12th-14th Monteverdi’s magnificent Vespers of 1610 with March, 27 pupils orchestra.! from R14, accompanied by Spring Concert, St John's College Hall Mr Taylor, Mr Following the Concert Orchestra’s television Cooper and Mrs appearance on S4C in Evans, visited December, this year’s Spring the battlefields Concert was a resounding of the First success, with an incredibly World War in high standard of music Belgium and making on display. Many France. This year marks the centenary of the outbreak congratulations to all the of the conflict and this made the trip all the more performers involved. poignant. Highlights included the The pupils visited numerous sites over the 3 days we Cathedral Choir’s were away including the town of Ypres, Wellington performance of Wood’s Hail Quarry near Arras, Newfoundland Park, the Thiepval Gladdening Light and The Memorial and the Welsh dragon memorial at Mametz Concert Orchestra’s performance of Gluck’s Dance of Wood. Photographed here are Abi T, Zoe H and Fflur the Blessed Spirits, Elgar’s Chanson de Matin, and P, preparing to descend into Welington Quarry near Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (mvt. 1) - soloist Arras. I would like to thank our excellent guide, Mr Ethan Harris - which culminated in a standing Tom Morgan from National Schools Travel, for his ovation! inspiring and insightful help during the trip and to all the R14 pupils. They were a true credit to the school.! R12 History Trip to Cardiff Castle R12 Historians enjoyed a fascinating trip to Cardiff Intermediate Mathematical Challenge Results Castle in The Intermediate Mathematical Challenge resulted in February, which the following certificates: Silver for Richard brought to life Discombe-Short, Milo Sainsbury and for David many of the Griffith who qualified for the next round on 20th aspects of March; Bronze for Dan Josty, Aliza Khan, Natsuki Norman life that Horiguchi and Robert Field. Winners of the we have studied fortnightly Maths Puzzles this term are Sanay Goyal, in class. Our Kelly Yip, Annalisa Albuquerque (R12), Jennifer visit began with Hodge (R13), Natsuki Horiguchi and Dan Josty (R14). an informative There are forthcoming challenges in April and May guided tour of too.! the Georgian and Victorian parts of the castle, including architect William Burges's masterpiece, the Finally, World Book Day for R12-R14 was celebrated 'Arab Room', with its Moorish gilded ceiling. The on Thursday, 6th March. Pupils gave detailed boys and girls were particularly enamoured with the presentations of their favourite authors/books to imposing Banqueting Hall and the secluded Roof celebrate and were given vouchers to use towards
Garden. books of their choice. Our next destination of our trip was the Steward's ! Room, which was lined with an array of helmets, !!Key Dates! ! body armour and weapons from the Romans through Mon 28 April Start of Easter Term ! to the Civil War. Here the children learnt about Wed 30 April R14 Geography Trip developments in weaponry and armour across the ! ! centuries, with an interactive display of the mechanics Thurs 1 May Junior Maths Challenge (R12 & R13) ! Mon 5 May May Day Bank Holiday (school closed) of a model trebuchet which fired across the room. ! Wed 7 May R13 Options / Curriculum Evening ! Especially enjoyable was the chance for the children Mon 26 - Fri 30 May Half-term (school closed) ! to try on the chain mail and various helmets at the ! end of the demonstration. The boys and girls should *Wed 9 & Thurs 10 July*! ! be commended on their impeccable behaviour Gilbert & Sullivan HMS Pinafore! ! St John’s College Hall! throughout the trip, and we are particularly grateful ! For tickets, please see www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com ! !to Cardiff Castle for a thoroughly enjoyable visit. ! www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com ! ! ! ! Achievements and Activities in the Middle School! goal for all ten matches. Yousuf Ashraf is the National ! Welsh karting champion of his age group and he has In R12, Will Ricketts and Otis Sainsbury both recently won both races entered so far this year. played at the Arms Park for Llanishen RFC with Will Callum Findlay has been selected to attend a training also having been promoted to the Advanced camp in Spain with the Welsh Tennis Team and is Development Centre for Under- 12 football. Charles currently ranked 11th in Britain at Under- 14 level. Williams has played against Tottenham, Southampton Natsuki Horiguchi was a finalist in the ‘3 v 3 and Birmingham for Cardiff City Under- 12s. Hannah Basketball Wales Tournament’, playing for a team Symmonds has mastered a one foot spin in Ice based at Cardiff Metropolitan University for under-15 Skating and recently also learnt to do a ‘tea pot’! Not girls and finishing in 2nd place in the tournament. to be outdone, Luke Myers has learnt how to spin in ! Ice Skating and execute a T- stop. Also in R12, In academic pursuits, Emma Discombe-Short, Shaili Stephanie Monti was champion in the Welsh Kadambande, Milo Sainsbury, Lily Beere and Lily Under-12 fencing competition while Gwennan Morris passed the Cambridge Latin exam. Chloe Shewring was awarded her Gold Badge in skiing. Borek achieved an A-grade in G.C.S.E. Polish while Finally, Siddarth Mohanty came 3rd in the Dragon Robert Field has won a place in the National Schools Table Tennis Tournament at Cardiff City. Symphony Orchestra. Natsuki Horiguchi won a prize Music has featured this term too with Stephanie for an essay on what life is like living in a country Monti passing her Grade 3 theory, Niamh Field other than Japan this term and David Griffiths passed passing Grade 3 piano with distinction, Sameera Clarinet Grade 4 with Merit. Aliza Khan, Dan Josty, Oruganti passing Grade 3 piano and Finn and Callum Emma Discombe-Short and Richard Discombe-Short relishing their time in the Cathedral Choir. Jasmine have just been awarded certificates for participating in Cordoza raised £30 in her neighbourhood for Cancer Maths Masterclasses at the University of South Wales. Research by baking cakes. They attended an eight-week series of Maths lectures ! on Saturday mornings, covering topics which they R13 pupils were similarly active with Edward would not normally come across in the classroom. Williams accepted into the U13 County Cricket ! Squad, Marco Aldridge a tournament winner with Also in R14, Mischa Balaratnam is working towards Marshfield U13s at football and Harry Davies Grade 5 ballet and was Netball team captain for the competing successfully in the St Joseph’s U13 Rugby St John's College Malaga tour in February, Aliza Khan Tournament. Oliver Beere achieved 5th place in the achieved distinction in LAMDA grade 3 exam (using U14 Welsh Mountain Biking Competition on spoken English), took part in the Maths Team Caerphilly Mountain. Rowan Downie won a gold Challenge and is training for the Junior Welsh medal in Tae Kwando and his classmate Joe Shaw Badminton Championships. Rachel Evans was currently ranks 9th for his age group in Indoor Hockey team captain for the St John's College Malaga Rowing. Many of the R13 girls have joined ‘Cheer tour in February and, along with Emma Bleehen, Squad’ at St John’s to learn cheerleading skills. Mason Spencer and Ben Rawi, is working towards her ! bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Ben Rawi is In the arts, Harini Somasekar was awarded a prize for working towards yellow belt in Jiu Jitsu and Jack gaining the highest mark in Grade 6 piano in the Browne is working towards orange belt in Brazilian Cardiff area and Alif Aziz passed Grade 5 violin Jiu Jitsu. recently. In the recent Rotary Youth Speaks ! Competition, Joe Shaw, Daniel Siromani and Marco As for musical pursuits, Rachel Evans is working Aldridge progressed to represent Cardiff in the towards grade 6 Violin and Piano, Aditya Joshi has district final on Friday, 7th March and were awarded achieved Grade 5 Piano with merit and is now runners up against tough opposition. working towards Grade 6, Ben Dimond is working ! towards Grade 6 Oboe, while Gaurav Menon has R14 sporting achievements have been remarkable this achieved Grade 4 Piano with merit, and is now term with Lily Morris a member of the Cardiff & Vale working towards Grade 5. In sport, Praneet Bolusani County football team, Nick Daly ‘student of the year’ is a proud member of Cardiff Cricket Club and Zoe in Tae Kwan Do and Dylan Edwards now playing for Hale has achieved bronze medal in 100m breaststroke the UWIC football team. Joe Reed achieved his brown for Cardiff Swimming Club. Well done to all! belt senior in martial arts (soon to be working towards his black belt) and Anthony Smith gained his orange belt in karate, winning twenty sparring competitions - while his Riverside football team won !ten games in a row with him keeping a clean sheet in www.stjohnscollegecardiff.com