EWELL CASTLE SENIOR SCHOOL December 2016 Newsletter

INTRODUCTION

As our longest school term draws of Edinburgh Award presentation The Music Pavilion is really taking to a close it seems a while since we evening with the Lord Lieutenant for shape and should be finished by had the long, warm, sunny summer making the presentations. February half term 2017. We still days as we are now certainly in the have a few tickets remaining for the grip of winter. As I am sure you are The Performing Arts programme has Music Pavilion Winter Fundraising aware, a vast amount has taken provided us with some outstanding Ball on Saturday 14th January 2017 place this term, I would however like shows that would certainly challenge at Glenmore House, Surbiton. Please to highlight a few areas. West End performances. These do book your tickets via ParentPay. included ‘The Miser’ and the A huge amount of sport has been ‘Christmas Cabaret’, as well as the I would like to thank the PSFA played with many victories, most various Carol concerts/services. We for their continued support for notably the Year 10 Rugby team who now look forward to Bugsy Malone the School and in particular the have made excellent progress in the at the Playhouse during the Christmas Fair and the spectacular NatWest Bowl and at the time of week before half term in February Firework Night which had a writing, they have progressed to the 2017. Halloween twist this year. We look regional semi-finals. We are delighted forward to the annual Quiz Night on to announce that from January we Inevitably there will be some Saturday 4th March 2017. Please will be launching our new School staff changes. We have recently do come as individuals, or arrange sport website www.ewellcastlesport. welcomed Mrs Collett as our new a table, and book early to be co.uk. This website will keep both Prep Admin Assistant and Mrs assured of a ticket. Please do also you as parents and the pupils better Cope back from maternity leave. We come along to the next Principal’s informed as to the fixtures, team thank Mrs Cunnington for providing Breakfast, which is on Friday sheets and results. Once you have maternity cover. You will be pleased 20th January at the Castle and on visited the website you can add the to know that Mrs Jones has had a Tuesday 7th February at Chessington Castle Sport app/icon to the baby girl. Lodge, to speak to myself or to meet home screen of your mobile phone We say goodbye to Mr Bilsby and up with other parents. to allow fingertip access to all sports Mr Carragher at the end of this May I take this opportunity to wish information. The site will even alert term and thank them both for their you, via twitter, when a team sheet everyone a very happy and enjoyable contribution to the School. We wish Christmas break. or match report is available to view. them every success in their futures. We are confident that this app will We welcome some new staff to Mr P Harris, Principal have a positive impact on your ability the team in January; Mrs McGrath to organise your time and ensure as our new School Administrator, the smooth running of sport at the Mrs Graves who will provide school. Please note that we will no administrative support for Marketing longer be emailing team sheets as and Admissions, Mrs Lawrence this information can be found using as our new Careers Advisor and the new app and website. Mr Houlahan as the new Head of We have had a variety of trips Economics and Business Studies. including several Team Building After a lengthy interview process, I trips, a residential to the Battlefields am very pleased to announce that of Northern France and Belgium, Mr Hepworth will be joining us as a Geography and Art trip to our new Senior School Deputy Head Amsterdam and a Geography trip from September 2017. He is currently to France. We also had some very Head of Year 9, Head of ICT and successful events such as the Head of Adventure at Priors Field Sixth Form Charity Dinner which School in Godalming. raised over £600 and the first Duke

www.ewellcastle.co.uk @EwellCastleUK YEAR 7 TEAM BUILDING DAY

Today was the day we were all looking forward to in our first week at team building day at Guildford Wildwood Adventure!

We arrived at approximately 9.45am all eager to go! We started by being prepped and put in our harnesses for the high ropes. Some students were scared and some excited! Very mixed feelings! We had two levels; level one YEAR 9 TEAM was the beginner stage, level two BUILDING TRIP was the more advanced. We had to do the zip wires on every level. At first An influx of new students to a they were frightening, but the more year, especially one as small we did it, the more we got used to it as last year’s Year 8, is always and worked as a team to encourage going to have a big impact on each other. The teachers even joined the social dynamics of the group, in with these activities (Mr Oscoz was and what better way to meet very nervous!!). We all laughed and each other, get to know each enjoyed this as we all got to know other and bond than on a Bush each other. Craft trip?

After lunch (was very delicious!) we We began the adventure with a went to a laser quest venue in Woking. game of predator in the woods. This was our favourite part of the day The pupils covered themselves as we got to run around and act silly in face paint or mud and spent a whilst competing against each other. happy hour hiding and running. The competition got serious!! Year Over the two days they built a 7 were divided into two groups and shelter, that many chose to sleep each group was split into two (the in, learnt knife skills and how to red team and the blue team). It got make a fire. At all times amazing very, very competitive. It was a close food was on offer; fruit, water, call between the two teams, but blue and an exceptional menu of triumphed and won the battle! After fajitas, pizza and pancakes. the laser quest we had drinks and Ms C Hoddell went over to the arcade machines.

It was a brilliant day, one that we will never forget. A fantastic start at our first year at Ewell Castle Senior School. We all learnt to develop our team work skills greatly as well as getting to bond and build friendships.

This I hope will continue through all our school years at Ewell Castle School! Yr7 Pupil

2 SIXTH FORM TEAM BUILDING TRIP

The Sixth Form Team Building trip Another highlight was the evening has become a fixture at the start of activity. Starting with a quiz, it each academic year. Its purpose is never fails to surprise teachers how to give the year group a chance to competitive students can be with meet each other, and welcome new each other. This was followed by members to the School. We also an ‘alternative fashion show’. It was use this time away to start creating ‘alternative’ because each group shared memories between the chose a young man to be dressed group – and there were some stand up by the rest of the team: all sorts out moments. of creativity was on display – from use of balloons to plastic bags; garish A range of activities were laid on – lipstick to glitter. A parade took place, with varying degrees of challenge. with a series of questions from one The zip-line was memorable with of the Heads of Sixth, with ‘Clarice’ one insightful pupil proclaiming being crowned winner. All under the “I love forced fun!” as he went watchful eye of our Principal – as one at speed through the trees. The of the ‘judges’. climbing race was competitive between pupils – but also teachers, Mr D’Souza and crate-stacking tested each group’s ability to communicate, create ideas and then take action. One highlight was crawling through tunnels. There were several levels of difficulty – each set of tubes getting smaller. The smallest having just enough room to wriggle one’s shoulders through. Scary stuff (for teachers too).

YEAR 11 GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP TO FRANCE

around the Beussent Lachelle factory management strategies used there to to see the many different stages in protect the coast from erosion which making chocolate, as well as how we could then compare to the UK the company is trying to manage its once we were home. We also looked coco production using ethical and at how longshore drift transported sustainable sources. And of course, material along the beach by using our no visit to a chocolate factory would bodies to show this process. Sunday be complete without a taste of some morning came around too quick and of the wonderful chocolate made it was time to pack up in order to there! In the afternoon we went to Le meet our ferry home. Touquet to see the development of Mrs R Owen After a very early (and wet) start to sand dunes and the different coastal the day we made good time to get to Folkestone to catch the train to Calais. Thankfully the weather held out long enough for us to stop at our first site of Cap Blanc Nez: an area which, like it’s counterpart in the UK, is being eroded by the sea creating some amazing landforms. Students were able to look at many different erosional features to get a good first hand understanding of the sheer force of the sea on the coast. With the sun attempting to make an effort to shine on Saturday we enjoyed a tour

3 PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION AND ETHICS TRIP YEAR 9 HISTORY As part of their GCSE Religious the role and place of women in Islam. TRIP TO THE Studies course, pupils investigate All pupils in Year 11 follow a course beliefs and practices in different faith SOMME in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics - traditions. We have had many years of and these pupils have had the chance On the 10th and 11th November association with the to investigate St Mary’s Church in Year 9 visited Northern France. Islamic Association in Hook Road, Ewell Village as part of their studies of This year our trip coincided Epsom, and this term we were able to places of worship in Christianity. We with Armistice Day. Along with visit the building again with pupils from are hoping to take all these pupils on Vimy Ridge, Beaumont Hamel Years 10 and 11. Mrs Faiza Rahman a similar visit to the mosque in Epsom and Ovilliers; the highlight of the and a team of volunteers showed us next Spring. trip were the memorial services around the mosque and gave a series at Thiepval and the Lochnager of talks on Muslim beliefs, including Mrs D Hillman and Mrs V Ikwuemesi Crater. It was really inspirational. Mr J C Blencowe VISIT TO AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU

In early November, myself and in which people were transported. another Year 13 student were taken The trip, as well as the seminars by an educational trust to the death we attended before and after, camp Auschwitz in Oswiecim, were intended to teach us about Poland. The trip, in which we the unpleasant realities of humans were flown out to Poland and and the capability of humans to do back in a single day saw us take great evil. In the aftermath of the a tour of a local cemetery before trip we are expected to discuss and the camp itself. We were taken to present what we saw on the site to both Auschwitz and Auschwitz- our Sixth Form, as well as the wide Birkenau. In both camps we saw community and world. the infamous gas chambers, as well Joseph Koppenhout and Chris as the blocks in which people were Mann, Year 13 imprisoned and a cattle waggon

ART AND GEOGRAPHY TRIP TO AMSTERDAM SPANISH A very successful Sixth Form trip that included visits to the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam as well as learning about polders and dikes. EXCHANGE – RETURN VISIT

Last year a few of us jetted over to Spain for a week as part of the exchange programme with La Salut School near Barcelona. This September we returned the favour and while we may have got the better deal in terms of the weather, we did many things to compensate. Whether the “returnees” were doing typical touristy things in ; visiting Harry Potter Studios; looking slightly distastefully at certain items of local cuisine or even just chilling in a slightly damp with pizza, there was never a dull moment. Joe Carter 11DS

4 DRAMA TRIPS SCHOOL COUNCIL

Drama trips this term have included; Julius Caesar at the Donmar Theatre On Monday 10th October, the Kings Cross, Amadeus at the National Theatre and Blood Brothers. Student Council met to discuss the first half term of this new academic year. Points raised from the 21 strong student body included requests for more PE related extra-curricular sessions, and for more fiction books in the library. Issues around the cleanliness of the Sixth Form Common Room reared its head also. Given the relative short time at School since our return in September, there were no pastoral or academic issues, aside from a query of whether Year 7 unfairly get more merits than the rest of the year groups. Patrick Alford volunteered to take, and discuss, the points raised in this meeting CHARITABLE WORKS with Mr. Harris & Mr. Bromley. Mr S Getty This term has already been really busy As well as raising money for Nepal raising money for the chosen charity 2017 we must also mention a special Nepal 2017. Nepal 2017’s main aim is charity that has been started by Year THE SCHOOL COUNCIL to send students and staff to Nepal to 7. The charity ‘Leo the Lion’ started 7AO: J Blakeman help those affected by the earthquake after one of the Year 7 pupils who is which happened just over two years currently off school due to ill health C Gunson ago. Help will be coming in the form was asked what he wanted upon 7JB: A Alyacoby of teaching English in a school as well his return to school? His reply was J Ralph as taking over vital supplies which he wanted the school community to will be handed out to those that need raise as much money for WaterAid. 7MW: H Bukhari it the most. Fundraising events this The Year 7 students went away and J Lim term have included cake sales from started Leo the Lion, a charity devoted 8PM: F Edwards the Year 11 forms and 10JR as well as to raising as much money as possible O Stiens a special cake sale from Year 9 raising for WaterAid. They have already raised £112.22 for The Royal British Legion money through the previous mufti day 8JM: O Luker after being inspired from their visit and Krispy Kreme Doughnut Sale. As J Dempsey to the Battle of the Somme. We also well as this the whole Senior School 9RD: H Raguraj raised money for The Royal British were given a speech from Mr Renton Legion by selling poppies to the from WaterAid who advised us where C Poulson school community. One of the major the money raised would be going. 9TW: P Alford events that has taken place this term We would like to thank you for all of was the Charity Sixth Form Dinner your generous support so far and we 9SB: T Kang which was held at Everest Spice, would like to encourage you to keep 10KH: M Park a Nepalese restaurant in Epsom. A supporting Nepal 2017 through the J Ellis great night was had by all students, upcoming fundraising events. staff and parents that attended this 10JR: J Banham Joshua Miller, Joint Head of the event. The event included a fun game, 11EW: L Coker raffle as well as an amazing Nepalese Charitable Works Committee meal, we raised an incredible amount 11DS: G Trant of £678.50 at this event. 6SG: J Miller 6LBC: M Jenkins

5 WHOLE SCHOOL REMEMBRANCE CHESS SERVICE 11TH NOVEMBER After 37 games of Chess, the House Chess Competition has As the croquet lawn was not ended. Castlemaine proved available for us to use this year too strong in Year 7 with four due to the Music Pavilion build, St convincing wins from Max Mary’s Church, Ewell, kindly hosted Smethurst. Raleigh’s Ollie Drye our annual Remembrance Service. and Adheesha Heiyantuduwa It was a very poignant and solemn secured two wins each and no occasion and included readings defeats leading to victory in and musical performances from the Year 8. Year 9 had the closest choir and a solo of the last post, competition with all three Houses played by Edward Smith. splitting the points with two wins each. In Year 10, Essex needed a win to improve their position, which they managed with three wins from three games thanks to Kieran Baynes and Sam Elson. After Years 7-10 had completed all their matches, the Houses were tied. It all came down to the Senior House event. Timers allowing a maximum of five minutes for all turns were introduced to put pressure on the competitors. While this proved to be challenging to some, Castlemaine’s Sang Jun SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL Kang ended with three wins from On Friday 18th November, students well deserved. Our young cast shared three and Raleigh’s Saravanan from Years 7, 8 and 9 took part in the their night with much older casts from Vignarajah won two and lost one international Shakespeare Schools neighbouring schools, but held their due to time. Essex’s Jackie Luo Festival, presenting the complex own and were complimented by the won one and drew one. Overall, 17th century comedy ‘As You Like stage director for their clear projection congratulations to Castlemaine who finished first with four It’ at the Leatherhead Theatre. The and wonderful re-telling of the story. wins and three losses. Raleigh cast had been busy rehearsing In the words of Shakespeare himself: followed closely with three wins, a for only 7 weeks, with some cast “though they be but little, they are draw and three losses, and finally, members joining the team only a few fierce!”. Essex finished third with two weeks before the performance! Their Miss P Butterworth wins, a draw and three losses. passion and drama was self-evident, and the cheers as the curtain fell were Mr D Vijapura

6 DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD

SILVER EXPEDITION YEAR 10 BRONZE EXPEDITION

On the 24 – 26 September Ewell On the 1 - 2 October the Year 10s Castle School launched its first completed their Duke of Edinburgh Silver expedition in the New Forest. overnight Bronze expedition in the Four teams took part. This is a . The map reading step up from Bronze. It involves was not always easy, the climbs wild camping, longer distances and were tough, the weather was grim difficult map reading. The challenge and there was a log race first thing really took the groups out of their in the morning. All the teams rose comfort zone and their qualities of to the challenge and impressed the leadership and determination were assessing staff. tested. All the pupils did really well. Mr J C Blencowe Mr J C Blencowe

RUGBY 1ST XV

Rugby is the major Autumn Term sport at Ewell Castle School and the School plays 45 competitive fixtures against local independent schools. We are particularly proud of the number of boys who take part at all playing levels, with the School fielding over 60% of each year group at weekend fixtures. As well as this, there is a programme for House Rugby that has been fiercely competitive this season. YEAR 7 next win came in a B team match We enjoy strong links with Sutton versus The Cedars School. On a and Epson RFC who provide an The Year 7 rugby squad have made cold Monday games afternoon excellent playing facility for the significant progress this term, which following some excellent running 1st XV home fixtures. Combined is not reflected by their results. and passing moves the team ran with our own expert coaching staff The team have played 9 matches, out 45-0 winners. In a very tight and facilities, we have employed involving A&B teams and although A game only a breakaway try the services of Paul Roberts (Bath they have won just 3 games there separated the two A teams with The / Esher RFC Fly Half) to ensure has been lots to praise. The first Cedars School winning 10-5. In the that boys receive the very best game of the season was against last game, a very strong, physical coaching. Richard Challoner School, who were and well organised Royal Albert and big, strong and well drilled. Despite Alexander team beat the A team The highlight of this season has some ferocious tackling we suffered 35-5. The last game of the season been the progress shown by the a 35-0 loss. Improvements came in is versus and will U15s who made it through to the the next game against Claremont Fan be another opportunity to show that 3rd round of the Nat West Bowl. Court. Some excellent rucking and the hard work put in training has We are looking forward to seeing passing saw the team score 3 tries. helped their rugby development. if some of these players can make Our first wins of the season came the transition into 1st XV rugby next against C and D teams, I would like to take this opportunity, season. with 20-0 and 35-10 victories. On a as their coach, to thank all the boys for their hard work and commitment Mr G Coogan very rainy Saturday we were hosted by . In two closely to training and matches and to the contested games, and some high parents for the continued support. scoring matches, we scored 7 tries, Mr P Bilsby despite losing 35-10 and 50-25. Our

7 HOUSE CROSS-COUNTRY 2016 The annual House Cross-Country The Year 7 girls raced alongside the finishing 3rd. In the B race Umran event took place on the week boys with the first one home being Chaudhrey (Raleigh) ran very strongly beginning 14th November, with each Sophia Sideras (Castlemaine) placing to claim victory with Patrick Alford year group running in their games 1st and Belle Shipkolye (Castlemaine) (Castlemaine) and Daanish Zafar afternoon. The event took place at and Talya Tuncer (Raleigh) 2nd and (Castlemaine) closely following. Nonsuch Park in sunny but cold 3rd respectiviely. weather. Each event was sub-divided The Seniors (Years 11, 12 and 13) ran into two races over varying distances. In the Year 8 event on Friday afternoon on Wednesday afternoon without the Ben White (Essex) ran from the front girls, who had a Hockey fixture. The In the Year 7 event on Monday the and won in a time of 21 minutes; race was conducted in an excellent boys and girls set off at a ferocious Daniel Hudson (Raleigh) finished spirit with Harry Aboud (Castlemaine) pace, which many maintained second by .09 of a second and Elyes of Year 11 winning in a time of 18.07, throughout the whole race. In the A Ben Driaa (Essex) third. In the B race Thomas Renwick (Raleigh) second race Joe Blakeman (Raleigh) won with Oliver Steins (Raleigh) finished 1st, and Michael Slavin (Raleigh) third. a very respectable time of 18 minutes with Philippe Pioli (Castlemaine) and and 1 second. Second place went to Philip Scholes (Essex) finishing 2nd The week was busy, but fun, with 213 Anthony Pires Da Silva (Raleigh) and and 3rd. pupils completing the course. All of third place to Finch Banham (Essex). the points won will be calculated by In the B race Ashvin Ashokkumar Matthew Garner (Essex) and Lewis Mr Bromley and added to the overall (Castlemaine) placed 1st with McLellan (Raleigh) came joint first House totals. in the Year 9 event with a time of Avinaash Vengadachalam (Essex) and Mr P Bilsby Amaan Ahmad (Essex) finishing 3rd. 21.26, with Victor Songui (Raleigh) HOUSE TABLE TENNIS SENIOR OPTION XI SOCCER 2016

There have been five challenging fixtures to date with victories over Box Hill and Kingston Grammar. In the latter match Vuyani Khaka scored a hat trick. A large number of students in Years 11 – 13 have been involved with Matt Smith, Guy West, goalkeeper Eshen Patel and captain Joe McShee playing with impressive consistency. Mr K B Peto

8 HOUSE NETBALL

SENIOR GIRLS HOCKEY W: 2 L: 2 D: 0

This season has so far seen growing success in Ewell Castle’s Senior Girls hockey team. With a keen and very able group of girls joining the school in Year 12, our combination of experience and energy have helped us make a positive start to the season. Our recent defeat to Sutton High followed by a redoubling of efforts against Reeds saw us beat them 9-0 on 16th November, a real team effort.

Notable performances from both goal keepers Alex Hillman and Gabs Ebbs as super sub against KCS Wimbledon. A strong defensive line led by Olivia Snadden-Riddout with Rosie Odell and Jill Benvenuti making an impact in their first season. The mid field has been empowered by the energy and drive of our central midfielder Eloise Ballard and both Margot and Bridget Hiza and Chloe Haycock have worked hard up and down the pitch.

Up front, Joey Hillman has scored 7 goals, with a notable double hat trick against Reeds 4th’s.

The girls work well as a team and are making good progress, greater levels of fitness as the season progresses is really making an impact on performance. Mrs J Jones

9 ARTISTS OF THE TERM

Toby Doyle - Year 12 Nora Attal - Year 13

Oscar Vieira Martins - Year 9 Ben Riddleston - Year 8 James Suri - Year 10

Arthur Charlesworth - Year 7 Luke Rae - Year 11

10 THE MISER

The Drama production of ‘The Miser’ characters from seventeenth century celebration of Ewell Castle creativity on 1st and 2nd December has been France. A world with mannerisms and was another success thanks to the hailed as a great success by parents language far removed from the known. whole community of Ewell Castle and staff. The department has School being involved. The humour and physical comedy received many emails congratulating of ‘The Miser’, based on Commedia cast and crew for the professional Mr L Bader-Clynes del’Arte characters was portrayed performance of actors and for the with aplomb from all of actors and excellent execution of technical skills the audience really appreciated all in lighting and sound by our technical their hard work. In addition, no play crew. could go ahead without the fantastic As the director of the play I am always support of colleagues and Sixth Form very proud of the way all the pupils pupils who made valued contributions rise to the challenges of the play, its to areas such as: costumes, props, genre and the style of performance. set design, stage-management and This year the cast had to portray technical assistance. The play, a

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