box hill school newsletter - focus, issue 6, december 2014

The newsletter of Box Hill School

www. boxhillschool.com

FOCUS • ISSUE 6 • DECEMBER 2014 1

www.facebook.com/boxhillschool@boxhillschool

Winthrop-Young Buildingopens its doors to studentsOur newest building, the Winthrop-Young Building (above), opened its doors forthe first time at the start of the academic year to the delight of pupils, teachersand visitors alike.

The state-of-the-art building houses a classroom block over three floors, togetherwith a large Sixth Form centre that includes a common room, independent learningcentre and changing & locker facilities. The building is also extremely energyefficient, generating much of its own power through banks of solar panels hiddenon the roof tops. This feeds power to the constantly monitored air conditioningsystem and also back to the grid. The building is particularly well insulated and alllighting uses low energy light bulbs with auto on/off motion sensors. There is Wi-Fiavailable throughout the whole building.

The 1,000 square foot Sixth Form common room is zoned into different areasincluding a work area, a kitchenette and breakfast bar and a variety of chairs, tablesand sofas for relaxing and studying. It is fully equipped with new and excitingtechnology, including Epic Laser Projection keyboards – compatible via Bluetoothwith iPhones, iPads and tablets, which allow students to write their study notes andessays straight onto their portable devices. There is also a 9ft screen and HDprojector with surround sound. This comes with a selection of films, Freeview TVchannels and allows direct transmission and live streaming from the NationalTheatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and the Bolshoi Ballet.

“On the opening of the building, the Headmaster, Mr Lowde said:“The addition of eight large new classrooms for our English andmaths departments has been transformative for the teachingand learning of these key subjects. Along with a fantastic newSixth Form facility, which will be the envy of students acrossSurrey, this is further proof that Box Hill School is committed tocontinuous improvement.”

There is also a large Independent Learning Centre for Sixth Form study – thiscontains the latest Windows 8 touch screen computers and next door is an officesuite for the careers department, giving students immediate access to our universityand careers advisor, together with a wealth of printed literature.

The classroom block, which contains eight spacious and modern classrooms for theEnglish and maths departments, as well as a large ICT classroom, is open to allstudents and has transformed the teaching and learning experience for thosedepartments. The extra space has allowed the demolition of the old 1960s woodenbuildings that previously housed two day houses – this has considerably opened upthe vista as one enters the school and from January will provide extra parking.

If you ever wish to come and visit the new building or have a tour of the schoolmore generally, do not hesitate to ‘phone the school and book an appointment. Wewould be delighted to show you around!

Sixth Formpost recordIB results

Cabaret‘a triumph!’

GCSE pupils matchlast year’s top grades.See page 5

See page 6

BHS FOCUS Newsletter 6 DEC 2014_Layout 1 16/12/2014 12:00


ACADEMIC &LEARNING

This term has been a busy one for ourSenior Academic Society (SAS). InSeptember they had a tour of theHouses of Parliament and whilst theresaw the Queen’s throne; some said itwas very impressive and elaboratelydecorated, and it was tempting to sit onthe famous seat.

Afterwards they visited the House ofCommons where the SAS were luckyenough to sit in on a real debate aboutwhether ‘education matters.’ Thesecond part of the day was taken up byan interactive workshop, where pupilsworked as Members of Parliament‘Making Laws’ and debating aprospective bill. During this, the hardestthing was to follow this rule: ‘To obeythe Speaker’s word ‘order’, to stayimpersonal and not to criticise theopponents.’

The following day the society attendeda conference in London where theylistened to four lectures on thephilosophy of religion and ethics andparticipated in a debate.

The first lecture ‘Ethical Theory andSexual Ethics’ focused on theapplication of ethical frameworks.Students were shown the differencebetween consequentialist anddeontological frameworks when appliedto the topic of human sexuality.

The most challenging lecture was byProfessor Keith Ward on ‘Is God Evil?’He outlined Stephen Law’s ‘evil-Godchallenge’, in which he claims thatarguments for a good God are notsufficiently different from arguments foran evil God to inspire belief. The claimthat suffering in the world provides‘overwhelming evidence’ that God doesnot exist, were critiqued and evaluatedwith reference to traditional theodicies.

Professor Mark Wynn delivered thethird lecture ‘Philosophical Perspectiveson Religious Experience’. He reviewedsome of the recent philosophicalliterature on the question of whetherreligious experience is trustworthy.

“This was definitely a thoughtprovoking and a challengingday where we were given anopportunity to experience aday in a students’ lecture hall.

‘Morality and God – is there aconnection?’; this was the theme of thedebate. The house believed thatwithout God there is no morality. Themoral issues that arise were exploredby way of a lively debate betweenProfessor Keith Ward and Julie Arliss,during which delegates had theopportunity to contribute and vote. Itwas very exciting to see our studentswanting to participate and express theiropinion. Unfortunately, the microphonedid not come to our part of the lecturehall. Despite a variety of opinions, thestudents voted in favour of the motion.

Dr John Frye’s lecture ‘Cosmological

Argument’ focused on the basicrationale for the CosmologicalArgument in the existence andproperties of the universe. Thearguments from Thomas Aquinas;Swinburne’s Inductive Argument;causal Loops; infinite causal chains; theHartle-Hawking no-boundary proposal;and the cosmological implications ofM-Theory were examined. The interfaceof this argument with the teleologicalargument was highlighted as well asquestions about the relationshipbetween science and religion.

This was definitely a thought-provokingand a challenging day where ourstudents were given an opportunity toexperience a day in a students’ lecturehall. A few of them had courage to talkto the speakers and ask questionsabout various subjects they wish tostudy or to talk about the books andauthors mentioned in their lectures.Not surprisingly, the coach journeyback to school was a continuation ofthe debate; lovely and enthusiastic.Most of the students eagerly readthrough the lectures notes anddiscussed the ideas presented.

Larissa Ennos, English teacher andSAS coordinator

Senior Academic Society

SAS in the Palace of Westminster

SAS during their ‘Commons Debate’



ACADEMIC &LEARNING

Family and friends came tosupport our Year 13 IB students atthe Extended Essay CelebrationEvening on Monday 17thNovember. Mr Duffield, IB Co-ordinator, organised the night asit is important to mark thisspecial accomplishment byacknowledging the efforts,insights, and revelations thathave been evident in producingthese super 4,000 word essays.

The evening witnessed seven ofour fantastic students, includingour Guardians (Head Girl andHead Boy) delivering short,informative presentations on theiressays and research. They werethen available to talk to otherstudents and parents about whythey chose their specific subject,which varied from visual arts tothe sciences, and pass on any tipsand lessons learnt. Our cateringteam put on a fantastic spread offood and drink and a greatevening was had by all.

The English Department ran a very successful Year 12 residential trip for studentsstudying English Literature at both IB and A level at the beginning of this term. Thestudents stayed at a secret woodland location at the bottom of Leith Hill, sleepingin cosy shepherds’ huts kitted out in style.

Whilst on their ‘Green Escape’ the students took part in three workshops ably leadby our wonderful English and drama teachers. Their first workshop focused onways of opening novels; students shared their own favourite opening paragraphstaken from novels such as Brontë’s ‘Jane Eyre’ and Salinger’s ‘Catching the Rye’.They also discussed various tips for creating a successful opening.

The second workshop then moved students onto their own writing. Extracts from‘A Tale of Two Cities’ and ‘Love in the Time of Cholera’ were discussed in detail, withstudents suggesting alternative vocabulary choices. Students then had theopportunity to compose their own creative pieces, which can be read on the KS5noticeboard in the English Department.

The final workshop saw students focusing on Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’; in groupsstudents created still images to reflect familial relationships in the play. The eveningwas then spent eating pizza, homemade cupcakes and brownies and toastingmarshmallows around the fire.

The next day they climbed Leith Hill and, with the backdrop of the beautiful SouthDowns and Leith Hill tower, students shared their creative writing and performedkey scenes from ‘King Lear’. The staff and students involved had a fantastic timeand it was a very positive and creative experience; students asked if this trip couldbe run every term, and it will certainly become an annual fixture!

Katharine Bryson, Head of English

Extended Essaycelebrationevening

The Green Escape


FOCUS • ISSUE 6 • DECEMBER 4

ACADEMIC &LEARNING

Sixth Form students in medal contention at Regional Final

In November, a team of four Sixth Form mathematicians represented the school atthe Regional Final of the Senior Team Maths Challenge, in Guildford. Thecompetition comprised of three rounds: a puzzle round; a ‘cross number’, whereone pair had the across clues, and one the down clues; and a relay round, wherequestions depended on previous answers gained.

Fighting off stiff competition, our team did spectacularly well in the first tworounds and, despite some (much regretted!) errors in the final round which pushedus out of any medal contention, beat 15 other schools; our best ever performance.This is a tremendous achievement, and really demonstrates the quality ofmathematicians we have in the school. Well done to Aidan, Keiichi, Koji andReuben on their success! Indeed, a few of the strongest Sixth Formmathematicians are now working on sixth term examination papers (morecommonly known as STEP) which are a pre-requisite to the most prestigiousuniversities including Warwick and Cambridge to study maths. They are similar instyle to undergraduate mathematics. This is a first for Box Hill School and we wishthe students all the best with these very challenging papers. It is testament to thehard work of staff and students that we are able to do this. It again reflects the highcalibre of mathematicians that we now have in our Sixth Form.

Heather Golding, maths teacher

On Monday 8th December thelanguages department took 38 pupilsfrom Years 10-13 on a day trip to theChristmas Market in Lille, France. Afteran early start, travelling by coach andshuttle, they arrived in Lille at midday tovisit the market with its beautiful giftstalls, and do some Christmasshopping.

Some of the pupils and staff even wenton the Big Wheel which was set up inthe main square for the Christmasseason.

After visiting Lille there was time for a

Senior Maths Challenge

Languagesstudents visitChristmasmarket in Lille

The last few weeks of term havebeen exciting and enriching forstudents of science, and inparticular for those takingphysics at GCSE, IB and A-level.

December saw the visit of theoutreach team from the ScienceMuseum in London. Theyperformed two science ‘shows’ forpupils in Years 7, 8, and 9. Pupils inYear 9 were wowed by a workingTesla coil – apparently this is oneof the only ones left in the country.Younger pupils in Years 7 and 8witnessed the effects of liquidnitrogen on various objects duringtheir show on ‘hot and cold’.

Year 11 pupils took a trip to theRoyal Observatory in Greenwich inNovember. They engaged withworkshops and presentationswhich aimed to educate studentson how the universe began, howstars are formed, and how starsevolve over the course of theirlives. The trip was rounded offwith a visit to see the Meridianline, and an experience in thePlanetarium. IB and A-levelstudents of physics were also inLondon. Their excursion tookthem to the Institute of Education,where they and five hundredothers attended a series oflectures from eminent physicistsand engineers. Highlights includeda talk on the Big Bang theory, anda presentation on up-to-datespace exploration which includedsome never-before-seen imagestaken by the Rosetta mission to anearby comet.

Physicsround up

visit to Cité Europe to buy some foodfor tea and purchase some final giftsbefore returning home. The day wasreally enjoyable for all, and it was lovelyto hear pupils practising their Frenchand enjoying the Christmas festivities inFrance. Joyeux Noel!

Penny Piper, languages teacher

A Year 7 pupil gets to grips with the effects of liquid nitrogen



ACADEMIC &LEARNING

Claire Makin joined Box Hill School inSeptember and has quickly made animpact. Claire is responsible for theschool's teaching and learning aswell as leading and managing theschool alongside the Headmaster ona daily basis.

Claire has enjoyed her first fourmonths here, straightaway recognisingthe warmth and friendliness amongstboth staff and pupils that makes BoxHill School stand out from the crowd.Claire's natural authority andorganisational skills, as well as herempathy for young people has helpedher to hit the ground running and helpthe Headmaster, Cory Lowde, continueto progress the school in all areas.

Outside the classroom, Claire's secondlove is music. She enjoys singing and

has been a member of several choirs. She also plays the 'cello to a semi-professionalstandard. Claire was a member of the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra for 20 yearswhere she co-led the 'cello section and she has also played with the HampshireCounty Youth Orchestra as well as a number of other orchestras. Claire has nowjoined Box Hill School's choir and chamber choir, where she sings alto amongst herpupils and fellow staff.

Claire is a natural linguist and studied European Studies, French and German atBath University. After graduating, she was an obvious candidate for a career withinthe European Union and so she got a job with a consumer lobby group in Brussels.Claire worked for 18 months in Europe during a period where some key consumerlegislation was being brought into law, such as the provision of information leafletswith all medicines and the requirement for soft surfaces in children's play areas.

Claire enjoyed her work in Brussels, but returned to England when she got marriedand took a job in sales promotion. However, it wasn't long until she recognised thatshe had a natural aptitude for teaching and so made the decision to follow herparents, who were both teachers, into a career in education. Claire's first teachingrole was just around the corner, at St John's Leatherhead, where she was alanguages teacher. She then moved to Bishop Wordsworth Grammar School inSalisbury where she quickly climbed through the ranks, firstly becoming AssistantHead of Sixth Form, then Head of Sixth Form and soon after Assistant Head, beforetaking the role at Box Hill School. We wish her every success for a long and happytime here!

Box Hill School welcomesnew Deputy Head, Claire Makin

The last Sixth Form ‘IB only’cohort (A-levels have sincebeen re-introduced) achievedrecord results back in thesummer.

The average points score was 32out of 45, well above the worldaverage and is the best averagescore the school has everachieved. 32 points is theequivalent of 435 UCAS points.That is officially the equivalent ofmore than 3 A*s at A level!

Four students smashed theschool’s previous record of 38points, all four of them scoring inthe forties. Esther Lowde,Patrycja Palys, Dominic Amlotand Kinga Oktabska scored 44,41, 42 and 40 points respectively.To score in the forties ismagnificent!

The Headmaster commented:“These are fantastic results. Allstudents have donetremendously well and manyhave passed subjects scoringpoint tallies that are higher thanthey dared hope.”

Later in the summer the GCSEresults were equally satisfying.They matched the school’s bestever results, with over 90% passrates in both maths and English.For more details, see ourwebsite, www.boxhillschool.com.

Last IB onlycohort achievesrecord breakingresults!

Year 11 pupils celebrating their GCSE results



DRAMA

This year’s winter production of Cabaret was one of the school’s most ambitiousproductions to date. Taking over the whole of McComish Hall, the audience wereseated in the midst of a 1930s night club, with the acting and dancing taking placeall around them, on the floor and on five separate stages.

It was a huge success with all performances sold out. The show took the audienceinto the decadent world of the infamous Kit Kat Klub where the Emcee and the girlsprovided a range of entertainment. ‘Here life is beautiful’ the customers were told asthe drinks where poured and the dances began...

With an outstanding set, an orchestra of professional musicians, superb leadperformances and some lovely choreography the show did not disappoint; in factthe critics were blown away!

“I thought last evening’s performance was a triumph for everyone associated withthe production. Congratulations to you all for a memorable show.”

“You really excelled yourself with Cabaret - it was amazing! WELL DONE!”

“I just wanted congratulate all the cast and crew on last night’s performance. Ithought it was fantastic. It is the first Box Hill School production I have been to andwas a million times more impressive than any school production I have ever seen orbeen involved in! I’m now kicking myself for all the performances I have missed outon in the past.”

“We thoroughly enjoyed Cabaret last night. An amazing performance, what talentedstudents we have at Box Hill School.”

“I was very proud of the achievements of all cast members and particularly gratefulof the support of so many Box Hill staff and back stage crews.”

Life is a cabaret, my dear!

“Cabaret is a powerful playproviding an historic recordof the events leading up tothe Second World War. It isvery demanding of itsperformers and the wholecast rose to the challengewith immense skill andconfidence.

Forthcoming Summer Production

‘THE RIME OF THEANCIENT MARINER’

Miss I’Anson will be directing this showand will send out audition notices

next term.



ART

Our Sixth Form art students enjoyed awonderful day in October visiting bothTate Modern and Tate Britain. Thestudents confronted a lot ofchallenging art work, sparking muchdebate and deliberation as they huntedfor examples of work specificallyrelated to their respective themes andtook notes and lots of photographs.

20 fashion and textiles students alsotook an educational trip to the Knittingand Stitching Show at the AlexanderPalace. Whilst there they were able tosee exhibitors from around the UK.They spoke to artists and designerswho are currently seeking work andwere inspired by the variety of knitted,embroidered, three dimensional andprinted textiles. Both days hadenormous educational value and wereenjoyed by all.

Art, Fashion & Textile students takeinspiration from the experts

Pupils were invited to enter acompetition earlier in the term to createa picture or design for this year’s officialBox Hill School Christmas card. We’redelighted to announce that there weretwo clear winners who submitted verydifferent takes on a wintry scene ofDalewood House, the school’s iconicmain school building. The winners wereDouglas Goldring and Caleb Bond, bothin Year 9.

Christmascardcompetition


All of the images of the week can be found on the Box Hill School websitewww.boxhillschool.com

The Autumn term featured work by John Everett Millais, Antonia Spill, Nico Rance, Michael Sullivan, TatjanaSpanger, Catherine Lawrey, Rosie Eagers, Charles Elliman, Annie Douse.


ART

Images of the week

Nico Rance - Year 13, A Level Art Student

Tatjana SpangerYear 13, IB Visual Art Student

Charles Elliman - Year 12, A Level Art Student

Rosie EagersYear 13, IB Visual Art Student

Michael SullivanYear 11, GCSE Art Student



SPORTS

Cross countryCross country has been a central part ofschool sport this term. 355 pupilscompeted in the Inter Thirds CrossCountry competition, over a distance of5 km. A steep climb of 104 metres overthe first half of the race added to thechallenge!

Well done to Corinthians, who cameout winners. We also recently sent aschool team to the district competition.The individual results will be publishedsoon and we hope to have a number ofpupils chosen for the Surrey countycompetition.

Girls’ hockeyHockey is the major sport for the girlsduring the Autumn Term. The schoolhas fielded four teams this season andhave competed against a number oflocal schools. Some of the squads havewelcomed a lot of new players to thegame and have enjoyed getting toknow girls from different countries andage groups, at the same time aslearning a new sport.

We have had successful wins againstHurtwood House, Reeds, Duke of Kentand Therfield School. Students can optto play hockey three days a week and ithas been wonderful to see so manygirls choosing this option.

Alongside the outdoor hockey, we havealso played some indoor hockey,football and attended a county crosscountry meet. The netball season is fastapproaching, so we look forward toanother season of excellent results.

Congratulations to the U15s whotopped the league this season with atotal of 15 goals under the tutelage oftheir coach, Miss Philp.

Boys’ footballThe standard and participation offootball at Box Hill School has got evenbetter this term, with over 50 extrapupils participating in the game. Wehave successfully run seven teams,along with a very successful FootballAcademy for an additional 35 pupils.

In the junior part of the school (Years 7to 10) we have had a win ratio of 75%,with the U14 in particular only losingone fixture. The school has won ordrawn 32 fixtures in total and hasscored 140 goals.

The 1st XI managed to progressthrough the preliminary round of theIndependent Schools FootballAssociation Cup competition for thefirst time in the school’s history, with a3-1 win over Hurstpierpoint College.They were narrowly knocked out in thenext round by Colfe’s School in aclosely fought game, supported by wellover 100 pupils and staff. The SouthAfrican Football tour in the summer for18 pupils will only help to strengthenthe standard of football at the school.



ROUNDSQUARE

Once again this summer, 14 studentsfrom Box Hill School went to work onour school based project in Philippolis.Philippolis is one of South Africa’s mostremote towns on the edge of the greatKaroo semi-desert.

In May this year, Good WorkFoundation opened the doors to abrand new learning centre in thetownship of Bergmanshooghte, justoutside Philippolis. Every day the doorsto this campus are opened to adultsand school age learners, ensuring thatthey have access to the internet,English and maths literacy, and tointernationally accredited qualifications.We are very proud as a school to havebeen involved in the development ofthis facility.

The project was set up originally as aRound Square International ServiceProject by Mr Brian Dawson. RoundSquare supported this project for aperiod of three years after which BoxHill School decided to continue workingwith the charity.

Over the past few years students fromBox Hill School have been involved inassisting in the building of a nursery, thedigital learning centre, a raised bedgarden with underground irrigation,completed 24 hour house make-overson local houses and gave the interior ofthe local church a facelift. This year weworked hard for 3 weeks to build anoffice and a counselling room for theGood Work Foundation.

However, the students were also able torelax on this trip with visits and minitrips arranged by our local contacts; a

day trip to the tiger sanctuary, a riverrafting weekend and a three night stayat the Otterskloof Game Reserve wereall exciting ways to spend our days off.

For the past three years we havearranged a Charity Variety Show onBox Hill Day, in aid of our project. As

Philippolis 2014 - Good Work Foundation

Student Exchanges: we have a number of possible exchanges at Box Hill School within our circle of Round Square Schools.These are generally for Year 10 and 12, but occasionally shorter exchanges do become offered to us. If you would beinterested in finding out more about this please come to see me in the Bursary office or call on my direct line which is 01372385006 or email at [email protected].

well as our work within the villagethrough our fundraising we have beenable to support the local children too.Last year we purchased new kit andequipment for the Under 13’s girls’netball team. They are an amazinggroup of girls who went on to win theOrange Free State ProvincialChampionship. We had the pleasure ofwatching the team play this year andsome of our pupils played a matchagainst them. They are a formidablegroup of young ladies. The girls werethrilled with their new kit and havewritten thank you letters to us. Theywould very much like the opportunityto come and play in England at somepoint in the future. Ideally we would liketo host a tournament for them here atBox Hill School.

This summer our students also met ayoung man called George. George hasnot been successful academically, buthas proved to be an exceptional runner.He has been entered for a junior eventwithin the Two Oceans Race in CapeTown next year, which I am excited tobe going to watch. We have sponsoredhis clothes and kit for this special eventand are keen to continue with oursupport for this town and its people, soif you would like to get involved andwould like to help us raise funds for thisproject we would be delighted to hearfrom you.

If your child is interested in joining usnext year on the Philippolis trip pleaselet me know. The new brochure will bepublished shortly.

Sandy Watt, Round Square coordinator

“As well as our work within thevillage through ourfundraising we have been ableto support the local childrentoo.



CHARITY &EVENTS

Happy ChildInternationalHappy Child International works toguarantee the rights of children andteenagers and has as its mission torescue, rehabilitate street children andchildren at risk and reintegrate themback into their families andcommunities.

Over the past term we have beenfundraising through mufti days andselling branded wristbands to supportthe street children of Brazil and so farhave made £874! We are pleased thatour work with Happy Child Internationalwill continue throughout the New Year.

Hundreds ofpounds raised forMacmillan nurses!In late September Box Hill School tookpart in Macmillan’s biggest coffeemorning by hosting a cake sale in theDining Room. Organised by MissAppleton, the event was in aid ofCancer Support and the MacMillannurses.

We are pleased to announce thattogether we all raised approximately£330, which was an excellent total forthe number of pupils in school that day.Thank you to everyone who baked orbrought in cakes; we are pleased tosupport such a great cause.

OperationChristmas Childshoe boxesBox Hill School has participated in'Operation Christmas Child' for manyyears now. Operation Christmas Childis the world's largest children'sChristmas project, run by the charitySamaritan's Purse.

Together with St Michael's School,Mickleham, and the village church wehave provided gift filled shoe boxeswhich will be sent over the world tothose less fortunate. Our boardersspent some time picking out the giftsand sorting and wrapping the boxeswhilst enjoying some delicioustakeaway pizza.

To read more about the Samaritan’sPurse please visit their website:www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk.



MUSIC

Josh Barnett selected to play forNational Youth Wind EnsembleThe school is delighted to announce that Josh Barnett, a Year 12 music scholar, hasbeen selected to take a place in the National Youth Wind Ensemble. He will be oneof just four saxophonists from across the UK to be playing in the ensemble, whichgathers every year for a one week residential course and rehearsals, beforeperforming in front of a sell-out crowd at a famous concert venue.

This year the residential course will be taking place over the Easter holidays – Joshwill then be performing in the 40 piece ensemble at the famous Cadogan Hall inLondon in April!

Although always a talented musician, Josh only started playing the saxophonewhen he joined Box Hill School in Year 7. He took up the instrument as part of the‘free music lessons’ initiative that is offered to all new Year 7 pupils and quickly grewto love it. With mentoring from Box Hill’s Director of Music, Mr Adam Stanworth, heis now a Grade 8 and opportunities are opening up all the time. He earned a place atthe Royal College of Music last year, where he studies every Saturday. As well asplaying the sax and piano (which he plays at Diploma level!) Josh also studies musictheory and sings with their chamber choir. He has also been recently hand-pickedby the Director of Music at RCM to be part of a vocal ensemble.

Following his recent star turn as Emcee in the wonderful school production ofCabaret, Josh is keen to develop his passion for musical theatre and ultimately hasambitions to have a career in the West End or on Broadway! He has recentlyauditioned for a place in the Youth Musical Theatre Orchestra and on the evidenceof his recent performances, we have no doubt that he will succeed!

Members of ACM @ Box HillSchool are really excited aboutperforming their end of termshowcase. Both ACM Juniorand Band Academy have hadan amazing term and havebeen working very hard ontheir songs.

We would like to thank the tutors;Martin, Mili, Rich and Windsor fortheir inspiration and amazingteaching skills. The students areprogressing really well and haveheaps of fun.

Don’t forget, if you are aged 13 orover and already play the electricguitar, bass, drums or sing wewould love to see you. Why notjoin? Band Academy sessionstake place in the Music School onSaturdays during term time from11.45 am – 1.45 pm. There will bea FREE TRIAL on Saturday 10thJanuary so come along and findout what goes on. WE WOULDLOVE TO SEE MORE BOARDERSAND DAY STUDENTS FROMBOX HILL SCHOOL!

Also, there are some spaces forACM Junior, for ages 7-12, so ifyou are interested come alongfrom 9.30-11.30 am on Saturday10th January for a FREE TRIAL.

Contact details to register for aFREE TRIAL as on the picture.

Enrol now for Spring Term 10th January - 28th March 2015

®

BAND ACADEMY

Box Hill School, Old London Road, Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6EA

Telephone: 01372 377812 - Email: [email protected] - www.boxhill.acm.ac.uk

JUNIOR 10 week course for ages 7-12

Saturdays 9.30am - 11.30am

An entry level course for those who are keen to learnhow to play an instrument or sing in a band.

BAND ACADEMY 10 week course for ages 13+

Saturdays 11.45am - 1.45pm

For intermediate to advanced teenagers who alreadyplay an instrument or sing.

Please contact us for enrolment information,costs and to book your place.

END OF TERM SHOWCASE SATURDAY 28TH MARCH

R O C K & P O P T U I T I O N

Academy ofContemporaryMusic @ BoxHill School

As well as playing the sax, Josh also plays piano to diploma standard



MUSIC

The annual Inter-Thirds Music Competition took place this year in October and wasa closely fought battle between our four thirds.

Annie Whitehouse won the junior instrumental round with a lovely “Spanish LoveSong” performed on the saxophone. Viktor Kovacs won the senior instrumentalround – performing on the electric guitar. The highest points were awarded for thevocal round and the final winner was William McKinney (Year 7) with his highlyconvincing portrayal of Bill Sykes from Oliver. We were hugely grateful to ourexperienced adjudicator, Matt Stevens. The overall winners were the Spartans.

The final scores were as follows: 1st – Spartans 2nd – Olympians 3rd – Corinthians4th – Athenians

Inter Thirds music competition

Three musical ensembles formedfor start of academic yearThe music department has three new music ensembles playing for the first time,hoping to get to a standard where they can perform in front of an audience.

Each week, a string quartet, a brass group and a ukulele club meet in the musicschool to rehearse together and improve their playing. The standard is mixed, withsome beginners amongst more accomplished players, but the goal is the same – toenjoy their instruments and get to a stage where they can perform at one of theBox Hill School soirees in either the Easter or summer terms. We look forward tohearing them soon!

This year’s carol services, heldat St Michael’s Church inMickleham, included apoignant rendition of StilleNacht (Silent Night) by ourGerman boarding fraternity.

The carol was performed tomark 100 years since TheChristmas Truce of 1914, when itwas sung from the Germantrenches, signalling a temporaryend to hostilities.

The school held three services,two on the Sunday before theend of term and another onTuesday evening, especially forboarders; it was followed by aspecial boarders’ Christmassupper.

The services were just three of anumber of events to celebratethe Christmas season, whichalso included a Sixth Formdinner, held at the Preston CrossHotel, in Bookham.

First World Warremembered atcarol services

German student singingStille Nacht (Silent Night)



ALUMNINEWS

I have so much to thank Box Hill Schoolfor, and it’s only now I can look backand see truly what I learnt while there,in and outside of the classroom.

Box Hill School was chosen for tworeasons, it’s location to our familyhome and for my brother, who hasdyslexia. I remember being stubbornabout starting there as I didn’t wantwhat my brother needed – but afterlooking around the school oneafternoon, meeting the pupils andteachers I was sold on the idea. Icouldn’t wait! I started at Box Hill aged11, one of only a handful of girls at thetime and didn’t leave until I finishedSixth form.

I came out of Box Hill School with myqualifications, acceptance into mychosen University and more life skillsthan many of my peers from otherschools. Although shy at times, I foundmyself from a very early age

communicating with people from all walks of life; whether it was the teachers,

prospective parents or even Princess Anne – I felt well equipped for the ‘real world’.

It’s not always what you learn in the classrooms that sticks with you (I definitely

can’t remember algebra) but the life skills you just pick up. At Box Hill, there was no

judgement. The teaching staff genuinely wanted you to be the best you could be. It

didn’t matter if science wasn’t your forte, if the thought of public speaking gave

you quivers – Box Hill School focussed on your best skills and pushed them.

I left school not being afraid of hard work. I had the confidence to achieve

whatever I put my mind to, giving me a great head start.

From around 16 onwards, I knew I wanted to work in fashion and took fashion

design at school. It became apparently very quickly that I couldn’t draw, wasn’t

great at sewing and to be honest – was never going to be the next Coco Chanel! It

totally threw me, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I spoke to the career

advisor who put two and two together. My passion was fashion, but my skill set

was English writing… Fashion Journalism seemed obvious (apparently to everyone

other than me). I applied for one course at one university and worked hard to make

sure I got my place because I didn’t want a second choice.

Although I wasn’t fully satisfied at Uni, I worked hard keeping down a part-time job

while interning on spare days in London. After graduating I moved to London and

worked on the fashion team at The Economist and as a Celebrity Stylist for some

months before choosing PR to be my career. I started at Asos, moving to the Gucci

Group and then to Push PR where I worked from PR Assistant up to Head of PR.

I moved out of London back to sunny Surrey and freelanced for a few months

before joining Aspinal of London, as PR and Marketing Manager where I remain.

I’ve found myself a nice husband, a lovely home and a puppy – so I think I turned

out okay!

My education at Box Hill School made me curious, confident and courageous. It

made going into the world at 18 quite simply easy.

Hannah Davis 1998-2005(née Dick)

“I left school not being afraid of hard work. I had theconfidence to achieve whatever I put my mind to, givingme a great head start.



ALUMNINEWS

The opportunity was always there.From my five years as a student at BoxHill School that is my over ridingmemory, whatever you wanted to do, ifyou really wanted it and worked for it,the opportunity was always there.

I’m now 25, I joined Year 9 at Box HillSchool back in 2002; straight away Iwas excited by the international aspectof the school, the dedication to sport aswell as academics and the importanceof music. I unapologetically tookadvantage of this by trying all sorts ofdifferent subjects and activities. From aRound Square project to South Africaand Gold DofE through to basketball,electric guitar and creating a peermentor system. The opportunity wasalways there and I was encouraged toask questions, try new things andimprove.

After building a solid knowledge of A-level Business Studies thanks to Mr

Attewell, I went on to read Business Studies as The University of Liverpool. Withoutknowing it I’d built a good international network by the time I left Box Hill School. Inmy first year I was able to reach out to a friend based in China who helped mesource materials and a manufacturer to create custom flat caps. After writing up abusiness plan just like I did in year 13, I was selling a few hundred hats a month bythe end of my first year. The international side of Box Hill was again proving to beuseful after leaving.

Progressing from university I moved to Spain for a six month stint in offshoreproperty. Although my first extended time away from home, having completed theDofE Gold award I was prepared for sleeping on the floor, being away from familyand waking up early to put in a long shift. We bought apartment shells by day forrock bottom prices as the market was down and by night kitted them out for luxuryrentals. After an intensive six months the apartments were setup and it was time tocome back to the UK.

I applied as a volunteer to the Conservative Party who took me on for two months.Following a 1h early, 1h late routine I was offered a permanent position running theBusiness Engagement programme and managing Donor Clubs in a dual role. Theidea to always question and try new things with confidence helped me approachthe role with fresh ideas. Not long after I was re-building and streamlining thebusiness database and suggesting other ideas that could help lead to a moreefficient process.

During my time here I approached a watch company called Sevenfriday,volunteering my time to improve their social media output. They didn't respond soin true cavalier fashion I created my own ‘fan page' and quickly doubled thentrebled their numbers. Eight months later I contacted them and was hired on aretainer to manage their feeds.

“If everything seems under control, you’re not going fast enough”. After two and ahalf years at the Conservative Party I had stopped progressing. Scoring finalinterviews with Uber and GoCardless I now work for the later, a fintech startupbased in Old Street. My social media hobby has turned into a side business,managing Sevenfriday & now Jamaica Inn, consulting for a number of watch firms &importing new products from the US.

The international side of Box Hill School has been invaluable to my career so far,helping me authentically connect in some way with everyone I meet. Theencouragement to try something new and not be afraid of failure is somethingeveryone can take forward from their time at Box Hill School.

James Jackson 2002-2006

“The international side of Box Hill School has beeninvaluable to my career so far, helping me authenticallyconnect in some way with everyone I meet.



ALUMNINEWS

Welcome to Alison Vernon(and thank you and farewell to Jemma Joyce!)

We love to keep in touch with alumni and hear your news. You can keep in touch with us in several different ways:

http://alumni.boxhillschool.com (members only website)Facebook: www.facebook.com/OldBoxhillians - Twitter: @OldBoxhillians - LinkedIn: Old Boxhillians Group

[email protected] or call +44 (0)1372 373382

After three years of re-establishing relationships with BoxHill School’s Former Pupils, setting up the Old Boxhilliansnetworks on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and creating aDevelopment Office from scratch, I am now sadly leavingBox Hill School due to a recent relocation to East Sussex.However, I am delighted to introduce everyone (currentpupils, staff and parents, as well as former pupils and pastparents) to my successor, Mrs Alison Vernon, who startedher new role as Development Manager at the beginning ofDecember.

In addition to taking the Development Office forward,Alison will also be launching a programme of reunions andevents for former pupils and the Box Hill School communityfor 2015. The Old Boxhillians' Picnic will still be goingahead on Sunday 17th May, after the BHSA Ball, so that isone date for your diaries already ...!

I have thoroughly enjoyed working at Box Hill School, takengreat pleasure in meeting many former pupils in person,and laughed at the antics that they got up to during theirschool days! It has also been really interesting and inspiringto see what they have achieved since leaving School, andhow their years at Box Hill have made them the people thatthey are today.

Thank you to everyone for all your support ... and as a former staff member, hopefully I'll be invited back for reunions too!

Jemma Joyce – Alumni Relations & Development Officer 2011-14

Alison Vernon (L) and Jemma Joyce (R)

Dates for your diaryBHSA Summer Ball - 16th May 2015

Old Boxhillians’ Picnic - 17th May 2015


box hill school newsletter - focus, issue 6, december 2014

Documents

new building

studentsour newest building

form centre

large new classrooms

form common room

large ict classroom

classroom block

form study thiscontains