Head News

What a wonderful week we have all experienced here at Felsted with the Felsted Arts Festival. I hope you have managed to get to some of the events. Murder in the Cathedral last week was a superb production, really enjoyable and a real tribute to the rich language TS Eliot uses in the play. Well done to Mr Homer and all the cast, particularly Andrea Smith Valls who played Thomas Becket.

The Trevor Goodman Memorial Art Exhibition was well attended and many of our Art scholars here at Felsted were able to hang their pictures next to professionals. We hope to make this an annual event.  The Carmina Burana Open Concert was sensational and inspirational - a special thanks to Mr Lowry and the Music Department, Orchestra, Wind Band, Strings, The 20, John Li (who did a violin solo), the huge chorus and soloists Elisabeth Roberts (soprano), Mark Chaundy (tenor) and Colin Baldy (baritone).  A retiring collection raised over £1000 for the Noonan's Syndrome charity NewLife, in recognition of Katie Harwood, one of our Year 2 pupils in the Preparatory School. Click here to listen to a short clip of this stunning choral piece.

Well done to Edie Hancock, who did a fantastic job of interviewing esteemed author, Alexander McCall Smith, in front of an audience of 400 guests as part of the Essex Book Festival. What a delight and inspiration he was to have at Felsted.

Along with a professional production of Ernest and the Pale Moon, the splendid senior musicians concert, an impressive piano recital by Philip Fowke, a stunning concert by Felsted's Peripatetic music staff, a superb recital by the well known percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie, an interesting talk on the sustainability of fish farming and a magical show by our very own magician, Mr Charles Lee it has been a cultural feast of a festival.  A full review by Festival Director Mr Andrew Widdowson will follow in the next enewsletter, but a huge thank you to him for a splendid range of events.

I know many of the pupils have been involved and I have encouraged them to try to keep a good balance during this busy time. Academic work must take priority, particularly as four of the five year groups have public examinations coming up very soon next term.  I have encouraged pupils to use the Tutoring System to the full and to ask Tutors for their help with maintaining a good balance with all the activities happening and with organisation of revision time.

Two new Deputy Heads have been appointed and they will join us from September 2010. Mr Chris Townsend will be Deputy Head Pastoral and Mr Jeremy Westlake will be Deputy Head Academic. Further details on their experience to date can be found by clicking on the links.

The next enewsletter will be sent on Monday 22nd March. For any errors, omissions or additions, please email marketing@felsted.org.

Round Square News

Visit to Herlufsholm, Denmark 22-24 Feb 

15 pupils from Yrs 11 and 12 and 5 staff visited this prestigious, co-educational boarding school in Denmark (founded one year after Felsted, in 1565), to join in lessons and activities and to identify opportunities for future collaboration in line with Round Square principles. It was a fascinating insight into another culture, teaching programme and way of life. Pupils took part in lessons in Performance and Visual Arts and English,  took part in a mini Model United Nations debate relating to stabilisation in Haiti, went to (voluntary!) chapel, joined in sporting activities and attended a presentation (in Danish) about domestic violence. Students were able to explore Copenhagen for a couple of hours before their return, visiting the Round Tower, the Cathedral and the historic canals.

Pupils were intrigued by the relaxed uniform rules, the 24 bed dormitories, the voluntary Chapel services, the school museum and the lack of a formal discipline structure (of which they highly approved!). Future possibilities may include pupil and teacher exchanges, a joint theatre workshop, joint D of E expeditions, sporting fixtures and further MUN activities.

Written by Mr M Sugden

Dormitories at Herlufsholm - quite a contrast to those at Felsted!

Felsted Model United Nations

After well over a year of advance planning, the first Felsted Model United Nations conference finally took place on Sunday 7th and Monday 8th February 2010. A short video has been made to highlight the benefits of pupils participating in this type of event - we encourage you take a look.

This was an extremely challenging event: it involved over 100 Felsted students from both Prep and Senior Schools, as well as a further 120 visiting students from 10 other schools – including local, national and international schools from as near as Saffron Walden and as far away as Dubai. That it was such a resounding success is a tribute to all those who assisted with its planning and organisation – the many staff who assisted, especially Mrs Lagden and Mrs James; the talented team of student Chairs who ran the debates with such maturity and skill, ably led by Felsted MUN Secretary General, Emma Hilton; and of course the Lower Sixth IB students who took on the major challenge of organising and running the whole infrastructure of the conference as part of their Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) programme. With so many students showing true leadership in brilliantly rising to this challenge, it was entirely fitting that this event formed the centrepiece of Felsted Leadership Week.

Throughout the conference, student after student demonstrated an exceptional grasp of international affairs through the delivery of rousing and compelling speeches. But perhaps the biggest inspiration to those taking part came from our guest speakers, Tiffany Garside and Kate Snow from Magic Bus, who gave a highly memorable presentation on the work of their charity. This included showing a video, specially made for Felsted MUN by Matthew Spacie’s team in Mumbai, in which the 'Magic Bus Peer Leaders' answered questions about their lives, forwarded to them in advance by our own students. This was an especially compelling way to reinforce the message that poverty is a very real issue for those less privileged than ourselves, many of whom have to overcome problems that we would only encounter in our worst nightmares.

Furthermore, Felsted MUN addressed a substantial number of our other long-term development objectives, such as embedding the Round Square IDEALS within our culture, developing education for citizenship and deepening students’ awareness and understanding of crucial global issues. Throughout the conference, students also greatly benefited from being given the opportunity to develop their soft skills, such as team building, independent research, cross-cultural understanding and tolerance, the ability to see things from varying perspectives, negotiation and diplomacy, public speaking, discussion and debate, motivational and persuasive communication, defusing arguments, problem solving, formal and informal social interaction, observation of etiquette – and of course, simply listening. All of these valuable life skills can be difficult to teach if education consists simply of lessons in the classroom.

Planning for the second Felsted MUN has already started – continue to watch this space for further developments.

Meanwhile, throughout the conference, Student Journalists, Edie Hancock, Eloise Hanikene and Pernilla Craig, under the guidance of Mrs James, produced two editions of the MUNday Times, which covered the MUN with a wonderful combination of serious information and humour.  Press here to read Edition 1 previewing the event, and Edition 2 which covers the first day's news.

Written by Mr T Vignoles

Trip to Battlefields

21 intrepid Yr 9 and Lower Sixth historians, along with Mrs Marshall, Ms Milford, Dr Dennis and myself departed from Felsted for the annual School battlefields trip. By the early afternoon we were in Flanders, the scene of so much heavy fighting during World War One. We visited Essex Farm where the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ was composed and then the brooding German Cemetery of Langemark.

The next day we made a day-trip to the Somme region. The weather had now turned bitterly cold but the pupils proved steadfast throughout the day in braving the elements. After visiting the French cemetery at Notre Dame de Lorette, we visited the huge Canadian memorial at Vimy Ridge. The next stop was the British memorial at Thiepval on the Somme. As is customary, it was here that pupils laid a wreath to commemorate Old Felstedians who died in the Great War. The names of these Old Felstedians were read out by pupils and staff and a minute’s silence was impeccably observed. We then took shelter from the biting wind in a brand new museum about the Battle of the Somme at the Thiepval site, featuring an excellent short film about the battle, very coherent summaries about key events on the Western Front and computers on which pupils could research relatives involved in the war.  Our day on the Somme concluded with a visit to Beaumont Hamel, a hugely improved site now that a museum detailing the experiences of the Newfoundland Regiment has been built. In the evening, there was a journey into Ypres for the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate; it was interesting to note the sheer number of people now attending this ceremony. 

We began our final day with a visit to the excellent World War One museum in the Ypres Cloth Hall, which provides a clear and informative overview of the conflict. After the obligatory pause in Ypres to purchase huge quantities of Belgian chocolates, we had time to see several sites on the Ypres Salient, such as Tynecot Cemetery. Here, each pupil was given a cross of remembrance to lay on a grave of their choice.

This was a really enjoyable and rewarding trip and the pupils were responsive and co-operative throughout; a credit to Felsted!  They also displayed an impressive amount of intellectual curiosity and the ‘book box’ of good reads on the First World War, provided by Ms Squirrel in the Library, proved to be a great success!

British memorial at Thiepval on the Somme

Written by Mr Rakesh Pathak

CCF News

A CCF Exercise was held last Thursday - I would like to thank every member of the CCF who took part in and helped organise the Exercise for their immense generosity and fantastic spirit throughout the day. A total of £1,105 was raised by cadets to give to Help for Heroes, a very worthwhile charity. Lance Corporal Ferguson and Private Wells, who were both severely injured in Afghanistan, deeply thanked us and were very impressed by all the cadets and the general format of the day.

Written by Peter Knox - and our thanks to him too for organising

Corps of Drums go to Bisley

Last week the Corps of Drums attended their first 24 hr exercise at Bisley since re-formation in 2008. Drum Maj Birch led the training aided by Drum Sergeant Brown. Drummers Hugo Chaplin and Max Limburg produced an excellent evening presentation on the history of the Corps of Drums. Music Drill and command stands formed the main effort of the exercise and we welcomed two new drummers Max Paulin and Ben Warner from Yr 9. The Exercise finished with a beating retreat where Calum Glover excelled on the bass drum, and Chester Birch, Robert Keightley and Grant Polkinghorne all improved their skills. A competition was run and the results will be announced during CCF on Thursday. The Corps of Drums camp will take place at the end of term in order to practise for the Cadet 150 Parade on the 1st of May and 2 LT Master-Jewitt is looking for more keen pupils from Yr 9 to swell the flute ranks of the Corps of Drums. 

Music Photograph Competition

Gus Nicholson won the music photograph competition with a wonderful picture of music notes curving and reflected in the brass of a French horn; this will go on the front cover of a future term calendar. Well done to all those who entered - the standard was very high.

Art Trip

Roy Lichtenstein; Whaam!, acrylic and oil on canvas, 1963

To provide Year 11 students with inspiration for this year’s GCSE art exam, a trip to London’s two Tate galleries took place recently.

Beginning with the Tate Britain, students explored the gallery, specifically looking for work which connected with their own ideas for this year’s exam theme.

Among the works which impressed the students were David Hockney’s vast tree studies, which cover the walls of an entire display area; Gilbert and George were equally popular as were the 18th and 19th century equestrian paintings.

Shortly after midday we boarded the riverboat at Milbank and enjoyed spectacular views of London and its landmarks as we cruised down river to the Tate Modern.  Once inside our final venue, and after a short break for lunch, the students were allowed to investigate the vast labyrinth of Art “isms” which the 20th century [and the 21st] has bequeathed to us.

Lichtenstein’s “Whaam!” held its usual magnetism for many and the Tate Modern’s splendid collection of Surrealist work also provided a useful source of inspiration.

In the Turbine Hall, several students took the opportunity to experience “How it is” a temporary installation work created by Polish artist Miroslaw Balka.  This vast, dark steel chamber creates a range of sensory and emotional experiences and alludes to recent Polish Jewish history.

While it is clear that to fully appreciate all that the two London Tate galleries have to offer in quite a short day is impossible, the visit did prove enriching, inspirational and fun for all.

Written by Mr Ben Coppel

Pupils consider GAP year options

35 Yr 11, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth pupils enjoyed a lecture in the Music School by the British Schools Exploring Society about exciting opportunities available to GAP year students.  The presentation included information about exploration and research in the Himalayas.  This was a most enjoyable evening.  Please click here for further information.

Written by Mr G Master-Jewitt

Manor & Mont's present cheque to Farleigh Hospice

A cheque for £3000 was presented this week to Farleigh Hospice.  The money was raised last year at the Mont's and Manor Music Miscellany event.  Christine Hogben, Fundraising Coordinator thanked the two day houses for their continued support.

Garnett's Fashion Show

The popular Garnett's Fashion Show takes place on 18th and 19th March in the Hunt Theatre. Tickets are now on sale in the Bookshop or at fashionshow@felsted.org. £15 for an adult and £10 for a child and Felsted pupils.

Leadership Week

Saturday 6th to Friday 12th February 2010 was Leadership Week at Felsted, and this year’s theme was ‘Combating Poverty’.

The first Felsted MUN was central to the development of student leadership during this week, but it also involved the second annual House Leadership Competition. Each house was asked to develop an idea either for a week-long project or for a specific event that would help to change attitudes towards poverty, whether in house or within the school community as a whole.

As part of this process, the idea had to involve raising funds for donation to Magic Bus, though the competition is judged primarily on students’ success in changing attitudes towards poverty, rather than specifically on the funds raised.

Gepp’s House came up with the idea of students in Year 10 and above making a donation to watch the film Slumdog Millionaire, an excellent way to educate students about the crippling effects of real poverty. They are also planning a follow-up football tournament in the Summer Term.

Stocks’s House ran a ‘dress down day’, in which students were strongly discouraged from wearing designer labels and were expected to make a larger donation if they insisted on doing so. This again has proved very successful in developing students’ understanding of the difference between what is necessary and what is merely desirable.

Mont’s and Manor Houses joined forces and held a bucket collection around school throughout the week - amazing how all those pennies mount up, and the students greatly enjoyed explaining to everyone what it was all about.

Elwyn’s House ran a ‘poverty lunch’ on the day of the MUN. Students, including those visiting for MUN, had the choice of eating a basic lunch of soup and bread, or paying £1 each to upgrade to something more substantial. Again, this proved most successful in ensuring that students really thought about the aspects of life that are handed to them on a plate every day.

Follyfield House took on the challenge of selling Magic Bus Valentine’s Bracelets throughout the week, as well as special bindi jewellery to be worn for one day only as part of the Follyfield Make Your Mark Against Poverty campaign. They also ran a chapel service to highlight the symbolic cultural significance of the bindi in generating wisdom and aiding concentration!

Last but not least, Deacon’s House held a number of events during the week: Year 9 took part in a poster competition, Year 10 ran a film night for the house showing Slumdog Millionaire, Year 11 organised a campaign to collect the house's loose change, and the Lower Sixth Form worked towards producing a short promotional film highlighting the issue of poverty.

All in all, the week was a superb success in developing leadership and changing attitudes towards poverty – and raised £2147.29 for Magic Bus! The final verdict on which house wins the competition will be delivered following a presentation from each house on Thursday 11th March. Many thanks to everyone involved.

Written by Mr T Vignoles

Oxbridge Candidates visit Cambridge

On 23^rd February, a group of Lower Sixth students, accompanied by myself as Senior Academic Co-Ordinator, visited Cambridge for a ‘taster day’. They were given a tour of Newnham College and a very helpful and informative talk by the tutor of admissions which left no one in any doubt about the high grades required to obtain an offer! In the afternoon, there was a tour of Clare College, provided by Old Felstedian, Georgie Plunkett, who is currently in her second year studying History of Art there. Students also got a chance to quiz former member of the RS Department, James Cherry, who is currently doing an MPhil at Magdalene. The Sixth Formers found the day very helpful and several are planning to make an application to Cambridge this autumn!

Written by Mr Rakesh Pathak

Jack Petchey Award

The Jack Petchey award for February is awarded to Rebecca Mansfield in Stocks's for outstanding leadership in the Annexe during the recent period of bereavement.  Many others have provided great support in particular Abi Claydon and Lucy Coward-Whittaker.

Sports Results

Rugby

Felsted Runners Up at Wisbech Sevens Tournament

Felsted won their first group and then the semi-final.  In the final they met Cranbrook again (who they beat in the first round) and were initially 14-0 up but eventually lost 19-14. This was an excellent result to get to the final of the tournament - well done!

Please click on the link to view all recent sports results on the main school website.

Interhouse Swimming Gala

A great afternoon was enjoyed by close on 100 spectators and swimmers and once again the roof was raised with the noise level.  Stocks's took 1st place with 80 points, followed by Follyfield and Manor.

Written by Ms Kay Milford  

Badminton House Matches

The badminton house competition was dominated this year by a very strong team from Deacon's who won 8 out of 9 of their individual matches on their way to beating all three of the other houses.  A very creditable runners up performance came from the Mont's team who lost only to Deacon's followed by Elwyn's and finally Gepp's.

Amongst some excellent and entertaining matches there were fine individual performances from Benison Wong and Leo Ng who won all three of their matches.  Toby Lucius Clark, Chris King and Philip Konig (not a regular player) also performed very well, often playing at their very best level.

National Senior Schools' Novice Polo Tournament

The Felsted Polo teams took part in the National Schools Novice Polo Tournament on Sunday, with the following results:

Felsted A team comprising of Alex Back, Max Kendrick and Grant Polkinghorne beat Bradfield 2-1, beat Dean Close 4-1, lost to Wellington A 1-0. Felsted A came 2nd overall in the division.

Felsted B team comprising of Jil Thuir, Tini May, Caroline Nagel-Head beat Shrewsbury 2-0, lost to Rugby B 4-0, lost to Rugby C 1-0. Felsted B came 4th overall in the division. 

Elite Development Cricket Camp

A Three day Elite Development Residential Cricket Camp is running from 6th-9th April.

In association with Essex County Cricket Board, Felsted is delighted to offer this excellent opportunity for boys and girls to receive quality group coaching as well as one-to-one attention.

Course Director, Charlie Knightley will be joined this year by Jason Gallian (England, Lancashire, Nottingham and Essex), the new Head of Cricket at Felsted. Using his 20 years of experience at first class level, Mr Gallian will provide the players with the opportunity to draw from his knowledge and experience during the course.

The camp will include a batting and bowling masterclass and players will also benefit from the latest analysis technology.

Age 12+, Cost: £175, which includes three nights boarding, all meals and refreshments.

Two day Non Residential Camps are also running from 31st March - 13th April for Ages 6+, Cost £80.00.

Further details can be found here or from the Courses Officer on courses@felsted.org or 01371 822634.

Easter Rugby Camps:

13th & 14th April for ages 12-16, 15th & 16th April for ages 8-11.

10.00am - 4.00pm

Cost £70.00.

The camps will provide boys and girls of all abilities with the chance to experience a broad range of rugby skills from ball handling, kicking to evasive running and tackling. The camps aim to be a fun, safe way to learn about and enjoy planing rugby. Felsted's Head of Rugby, ex-professional Andrew Le Chevalier, will run the camps along with other coaches who have all played rugby at a high standard.

Further details can be found here or from the Courses Officer on courses@felsted.org or 01371 822634. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

'Last Night at the Proms'

The Preparatory School, through one of its parents, has been able to secure a number of tickets for the 'Last Night of the Proms' evening in the fabulous setting of Hylands House on Sunday 27 June 2010. 

The line up for the evening has not yet been confirmed although the stars of the evening will definitely be performing with the National Symphony Orchestra which will be conducted by Anthony Inglis.

The School and its guests will have exclusive access to a private marquee and a picnic supper will be included in the ticket price of £45 per person.  Drinks can be purchased from the bars at the venue or you can bring your own (together with your blankets and/or deckchairs).

The show begins at 7.30pm and will finish at approximately 10.15pm.  Adults and children are equally welcome.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets then please email Mrs Karen Lilley (kal@felstedprep.org). 

Future cricket events

20/20 Cricket @ Essex CCC

Following on from last year's successful evening to see Essex play under floodlights we are again organising another evening to watch Essex v Glamorgan.  This will take place on Friday 11 June with the match starting at 7pm.

We have a limited number of tickets on hold and if you would like to reserve any then please let us know (kal@felstedprep.org). Tickets (including ground entry and reserved seats) will cost £27.50 per person (whether child or adult). All seats will be in the upper Tom Pearce Stand at the County Ground, Chelmsford.

Cricket Day @ Essex CCC

Over the past few years we have organised a Six A Side Cricket Competition for Parents and Pupils during the summer half term break.

This year, to ring the changes, we are arranging a 20/20 style match (11 players per side) under floodlights at the County Ground, Chelmsford.  This will take place on Thursday 3 June 2010.

This will be a fantastic opportunity for anyone who wishes to take part but we do ask that players must be over 16 years of age and are not beginners! 

The day will begin with Afternoon Tea at 4.00pm with the match starting at 5.00pm.  Following the match a celebratory supper will be held in the Pavilion Marquee for all.   Players will have exclusive use of the marquee during the event and the professional players' changing rooms will also be available.

If you would like further information then please contact Karen Lilley (kal@felstedprep.org). There are only 12 places available so book now to avoid disappointment.