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issue MICHAELMAS
four 2012
SherborneNews
INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKERS
SPORT
DRAMA
TRIPS
Comment
BY SUE SALMON,
ASSISTANT HEAD (PASTORAL)
Younger pupils
respect and trust
their prefects,
often turning to
them first when
needing help.
ISI Boarding Welfare
Intermediate Inspection 2012
www.sherborne.org
Talking about
feelings is a big ask
for many boys and
young men. But it
needn’t be and it
shouldn’t be. We
believe in the
importance of
helping boys to
develop the emotional literacy that they
need in order for them to understand their
own feelings, to find the language to express
them, and to develop the tools to manage
them. This might sometimes, for instance,
mean asking boys to address difficult and
sensitive issues, or to think through a
situation from another’s perspective. It also
means encouraging boys to put into practice
for themselves the strategies that through
discussion and experience they come to
discover work best for them.
Pastoral care is a term that is often used to
describe a school’s pastoral provision, and
we are proud of the pastoral care that we
provide here and that was so warmly
endorsed in our recent boarding inspection.
But we also believe that pastoral care must
go hand in hand with an equal emphasis on
pastoral education. Whereas pastoral care is
often palliative, reacting to something that
has happened and often requiring an adult
to step in to resolve a boy’s issues for him,
pastoral education seeks to be proactive and
preventative, and encourages and empowers
boys to help themselves. At Sherborne, we
devote much effort to promoting a pastoral
education that enables boys as they work
their way through the school increasingly to
take charge of their feelings, of their
reactions, and of themselves – all this, secure
in the knowledge that they are part of a safe
and supportive community. It is a vital part of
their becoming young men. Understanding
a situation, for instance, from another
person’s perspective is an ability that we
work hard to help all boys to develop. They
are often surprised, and relieved, when they
realise that people aren’t quite as mysterious,
impossible or unforgiving as they first
thought. These are all essential skills for
living happily with others or for working as
part of a team. The senior boys’ mentoring
of the younger boys in Houses develops a
yet further set of skills.
One important strand of Sherborne’s pastoral
education comes from the new PSHE
programme introduced this term and
headed up by Seana Cummings. Drawing on
best practice from around the world, it has
been carefully constructed to address the
continued ...
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issues that most concern boys at their
particular stages of life and to help them
build what is now commonly called
‘emotional intelligence’. The individual
programmes designed for the Third,
Fourth and Fifth Forms cover a wide range
of themes, including mental health in
adolescence, managing relationships, risk taking behaviour, living healthily and
setting personal goals. Among other
things, these programmes provide boys
with the information that they need to
make good choices when it matters.
Also new this term, the weekly whole
School and year-group assemblies, along
with the twice-weekly Abbey Service,
Junior Chapel and Tuesday’s voluntary
Senior Chapel, are further opportunities to
focus on, for example, issues such as
respect for the needs of others, the
importance of co-operation and
collaboration, and the responsibilities and
privileges associated with living in a
community. Perhaps even more important
still are those innumerable interactions that
happen throughout the school day in the
classroom, on the sports pitches, in the
rehearsal and the art rooms, and within
houses among the boys and with matrons,
tutors and housemasters, whereby boys are
constantly learning through their everyday
experience of living as part of the school
community. First and foremost, our boys
are part of the Sherborne Community, and
from that sense of belonging springs their
growing sense of individuality.
Even now, there still seems to linger in
popular culture an expectation that the
only worthwhile type of hero is an alpha
male and that boys should ‘man up’ when
they are upset or are finding relationships
with their friends or others confusing or
difficult. Of course, boys are bound to find
relationships difficult at one time or
another. Difficulties and challenges are all
part of the process of growing up and of
learning. ‘Manning up’, however, is not
necessarily the best answer. Sometimes,
boys need to be encouraged to talk
through problems in a safe environment,
sometimes as part of mediation. This often
provides a far more productive, longlasting answer, during which something
valuable is learnt. It has been especially
rewarding to see boys increasingly seeking
help and advice, both of which are easily at
hand from a range of different members of
staff. In shaping 21st century men of
distinction, pastoral education lies firmly at
the heart of a boy’s learning here at
Sherborne.
Classical Sights
BY STEPHEN HEATH, HEAD OF CLASSICS
Over half-term, seventeen of Sherborne’s Fourth and Fifth Formers visited the Bay
of Naples as part of the annual Junior School Classics trip. The boys enjoyed
visiting many of the popular classical tourist sites, including Mount Vesuvius’
steaming crater, a boat trip along the Amalfi coast, the vast Doric temples of
Paestum, the National Archaeological Museum in Naples, the eerie streets of
Herculaneum and the sulphurous streams of Solfatara. The highlight of the trip,
however, was the tour of the infamous Roman town of Pompeii.
Henry Dennis (3g)
Edward Pyman (4e)
Academic Prizes
In Year Group Assemblies the Deputy Head Academic, Dr Smith, announced Merits
and Distinctions for performance in the End of Term Examinations. Individual prizes
were also awarded for top performance in each subject. The Headmaster
congratulated the top three boys in each year group and presented prizes. Reminding
the boys to reflect both on their strengths and weaknesses as shown by the exam
papers, Dr Smith congratulated the boys for the tremendous effort and focus put into
the recent papers. The Fifth Form will be sitting their examinations next term.
George Campbell (L6a)
Oscar Cairns (L6a)
Christopher Freeman (U6)
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CCF Manoeuvres
On 21st October the Army section of Sherborne School’s CCF was taken to Salisbury Plain on an exercise named First
Contact, where they put into practice the skills learnt over the previous weeks. The Royal Marines section was also put
through its paces with hostage situations and night manoeuvres. BY ROBERT LE POIDEVIN, CONTINGENT COMMANDER
Appliance
of Science
VICTUALS ON THE VICTORY
A party of boys braved the elements on
21st November to visit the Met
Office in Exeter. The trip was
somewhat delayed due to the
inclement weather, which
fortunately our hosts had
foreseen! The boys learnt about
the history of the Met Office and its
role in forecasting the weather for a
wide range of audiences.
The entire Third Form visited The Royal
Naval dockyards at Portsmouth in
November to consider the development
of naval warfare as part of its Revolutions
course. Exploration of the Victory and
Warrior brought History alive as the
boys took in the smell of war in the
Trafalgar Experience and realised that
Nelson was considerably shorter than
many of the year group. We then
compared the victualling of the Navy on
board Victory with our own packed
lunches and headed home
contemplating the defeat of Napoleon
and how the Workshop of the World
depended on the Royal Navy in so many
ways.
In the afternoon the boys visited Exeter
University’s computer science facilities
where they took part in a simple
programming exercise followed by an
introduction to computing and artificial
intelligence, and its connections to
Sherborne via Alan Turing.
All agreed that the trip provided an
excellent opportunity to learn about the
appliance of modern computing in the
world today.
BY GILES REYNOLDS,
HEAD OF HISTORY
Poetry in translation
Sherborne School Upper Sixth pupil Jack Newman (b) has been commended in
The Times’ Stephen Spender poetry in translation competition for his translation
of Voltaire’s A Madame la princesse Ulrique de Prusse in the 18 and under
category. The annual competition asks entrants to translate any poem, classical or
modern, from any language into English.
BY BEN RYDER,
HEAD OF DIGITAL EDUCATION
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Inspirational Speakers
Senior Maths
Challenge
Sherborne mathematicians have
excelled themselves in this year's Senior
Mathematics Challenge with over 70%
of pupils obtaining a Gold, Silver or
Bronze medal. Kei Nishino (U6b) who
achieved 'Best in School' won Gold
along with Henry Lin (U6a). Two other
pupils, Ben Simon (U6c) and Oscar
Cairns (L6a) (Best in Year), also qualified
for the invitation only 'Kangaroo' round
in which candidates sit a one hour
multiple choice paper. All boys should
be congratulated on their achievements
in this prestigious mathematics award.
The School has enjoyed a rich variety of
speakers so far this term, from local Gold
medallist Peter Wilson on his Olympic
journey to Reverend Nick Mercer who
was perfectly placed to speak about
Human Rights on the battlefield, given
his military, legal and theological
qualifications. Actor Bertie Portal spoke
with passion about his transatlantic
rowing exploits and we were also
pleased to welcome Old Shirburnian Ed
Scott-Clarke who is an environmental
documentary film maker. All lectures
have been followed by popular questions
and answer sessions with the boys.
Next term we look forward to
presentations from scientist and sciencewriter Richard Corfield; James Partridge
OBE, founder of a UK charity
representing those with a disfiguring
condition; ex-RAF Tornado pilot Mandy
Hickson and anthropologist film-maker
Matt Dickinson.
Wildman Society
and Model United Nations
Every Tuesday evening, twenty boys
have been meeting to debate topics
as diverse as having too many shoes
and Monaco’s tax status. This year it
was decided to merge Wildman
debating society with Model United
Nations (MUN) because of the
shared emphasis on public speaking
and international thinking.
Left, Dmitry Pastukhov (U6e), right Cosimo Malizia (U6e),
Olympic Gold Medallist Double Trap Shooter Peter Wilson
SIXTH FORM
VOLUNTARY CHAPEL
This term the Chaplaincy set up a new
service on Thursday mornings in Chapel
for Sixth Form. It is a service of quiet
reflection and it has been very
encouraging to see members volunteer
to take the lead. So far we have had a
rich and varied diet of thoughtprovoking, spiritually uplifting and
prayerful reflections on topics such as
‘Viewing yourself as God sees you’,
‘Finding peace and stillness and space
to be’, and ‘Determination and
Christianity’. The quality of the
reflections and the desire and
confidence of the boys to give them,
particularly when several have been
incredibly personal and moving, are
testimony to the School’s commitment
to nurture spiritual values, develop self
confidence and self reflection and
encourage and challenge the boys in
their search for meaning and purpose.
BY REVD LINDSAY COLLINS, CHAPLAIN
Learning Conference
Just prior to half term, Sherborne
hosted an incredibly successful interschool debate with Bryanston and
Blandford schools. The Sherborne
teams were victorious in both the
junior and senior competitions.
Archie Farrer (U6a) was awarded a
prize for his outstanding contribution
to the evening and several of the
Wildman boys chaired debates.
In January, teams will be going to
defend their titles at Bryanston and
in March, eight boys will participate
in the Queen’s College, Taunton
MUN Conference.
The School welcomed delegates
from both prep and senior
schools to join Sherborne
teaching staff for a ‘Learning
Conference’ led by educational
author Professor Guy Claxton.
Joined by Graham Powell,
Principal Consultant of
educational publishers The
Learning Organisation (TLO),
Professor Claxton, introduced
the conference to his ideas on
Building Learning Power
(Helping Young People Become
Better Learners).
The School is currently engaged in a Learning Review with the intention of
encouraging boys to take more responsibility for their own learning, through
developing, among other things, their levels of reflection, collaboration, resilience
and resourcefulness.
BY VICKY CLAYTON, HEAD OF LEARNING DEVELOPMENT
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CCF
Remembrance Parade
Sherborne School’s CCF took part in Sherborne Town’s Remembrance
Parade. Max Railton (U6g) led the parade as the School’s Standard Bearer
and Will Voaden (U6d) laid the School’s wreath at the Sherborne memorial
in front of the Abbey.
BY ROBERT LE POIDEVIN, CONTINGENT COMMANDER
Winners at
Engineering Challenge
Sherborne Fourth Formers Patrick
Bernon (b), Luke Besse (b), Jake Bishop
(d), Felix Cairns (b), Jack Fitzpatrick (f)
and Ollie Rose (f) came first in an
exercise to succesfully design, build, test
and present an aircraft ejector seat
system at the Fleet Air Arm Engineering
Challenge on Friday 16 November. The
team enjoyed the problem solving and
creativity involved in the ‘hands on’
nature of this three and a half hour task
and even worked through lunch to
ensure its completion.
Foundation for the Future
Congratulations to Hugh Clegg (a), Simon Fraser (e), Will James (f), Max Leefe (f),
Cosmo Meynell (a) and Toby Rush (f) who have each been offered a place at the
highly competitive and extremely soughtafter Foundation Diploma in Art course,
at the Arts University College,
Bournemouth. The quality of work from the
Sherborne boys was outstanding. Commented
the Head of Art & Design from the
college. Simon Fraser, who eventually
wishes to study fashion photography or
set design at Central St Martins,
commented I was very impressed with how
97.7% of foundation graduates from
Bournemouth go on to either work or pursue their chosen degree course at Bournemouth or another
university. The facilities are brand new and the idea of being able to immerse yourself in other
media, for example model-making, is very beneficial.
The winning team with Graham Mottram,
Director of the Fleet Air Arm Museum
Team Firefly - Oscar Faulkner (m), Ed
Guinness (b), Hugo Houlton (d), Hugh
Johnson (e), Jacob Lane (d) and Jack
Miller (a) also finished a creditable 7th.
Well done to all involved.
BY MARK THURMAN, HEAD OF PHYSICS
Go to: http://www.sherborne.org/galleries/U6_Foundation_Art_Portfolios to see a gallery of the boys’ foundation portfolios
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ADVENT CAROL SERVICE
The candle-lit Advent Carol Service in the
Abbey is one of the more spiritually
moving occasions in the year: put
together by the Chaplain the seamless
service of readings, prayers, carols and
hymns lasts just under an hour and
proceeds from darkness to light in
exploring the Advent theme. It also
provides the men’s voice choir with an
opportunity to excel in singing plainsong
antiphons and music written specifically
for tenors and basses. This year’s service
on Sunday 2 December saw the 101
strong choir in finest form: music by
Palestrina (the Advent Responsory),
Hadley, Warlock, Praetorius, Stanford and
a new Henderson anthem Remember O
thou man filled the Abbey while, perhaps
even more impressively, the school sang
the hymns – Hills of the North, On this
day earth shall ring and Lo, he comes
with clouds descending amongst them –
with enormous gusto and enthusiasm.
The quality of the readings by boys each
Wednesday and Sunday in the Abbey is
superb and, in particular, the readings in
the Advent Carol Service this year were
outstanding. Congratulations to all
involved.
Scholars’ Concert
This year’s Scholars’ Concert was of an
especially high standard. Exceptional
performances were given by Toby Cairns
(U6a Music Scholar) on the French Horn,
Douglas Mak (3c Music Scholar) on the
piano, and Thaddeus Muller (L6a Music
Exhibitioner), pictured above, on the
‘cello. Other highlights included Robert
Folkes and Jack Blakey (L6a Music
Scholars) performing with organ
accompaniment from the minstrels’
gallery, Cosimo Malizia (U6e Music
Scholar) on the alto saxophone, James
Richards (5a) on the piano, and Philip
Loosemore (4b Music Scholar, pictured)
on the trombone.
Abbey House Play
The 39 Steps
This term’s house play, The 39 Steps,
performed by Abbey House, packed a lot
of action and produced much laughter.
Members of the cast were chosen as
much for their off-stage personae as for
their considerable acting abilities adding
comedy and charisma to the play: the
Reid brothers – Alex (5) and Hugo (L6) –
battled it out as the villain and the hero;
Every year the Scholars’ Concert
provides an opportunity to showcase
the very best of Sherborne’s solo
music-making with, in many cases,
some outstanding performances being
given by the musicians. This year the
quality of the current very gifted Music
Scholars and Exhibitioners was evident
throughout the seventy-five minute
programme. Ex-cathedral choristers
who have initially been musically
attracted to Sherborne, as much for its
strong choral tradition in the Abbey as
by its many other strengths, are time
and again proving to be amongst our
strongest instrumentalists. It is also
especially good to hear so much
musical talent in the younger years:
pianist Douglas Mak, is setting a new
standard in pre-Sixth Form piano
playing and also took part in the
Simon Callaghan Piano Masterclass.
BY JAMES HENDERSON,
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Ed Polsue (5) and Charlie Gordon (L6)
were two of the three Richard Hannays
(the third being Alex Reid); Alex Foster
(U6) and James Hawkes (U6) also took
multiple roles simultaneously. Many other
hilarious double acts made this a play to
be remembered. It deserves no fewer
than the full five stars.
BY EDDY HORN, 5d
Piano Masterclass
Simon Callaghan returned to
Sherborne recently to give an
afternoon masterclass before
performing in the Tindall Recital
Series. Five Shirburnians were
fortunate to be coached and advised
by Simon who gave his experienced
insight into performances. Each boy
had the chance to play a piece of his
choice and Simon gave practical
advice on improvements.
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School Play - The Rivals
The joy of Sheridan’s play is the fun he
has with characters who are in the grips
of powerful feelings, whether it is the
youthful need of the loaded Lydia
Languish to become poor and in love, or
of the drippy Faulkland to tax his fiancée
with being at all happy during his
absences. Cosmo Malizia (U6e) was a
treat as the perverse old father, Rose
Patrick (Sherborne Girls) was splendidly
convincing as Lydia, at once longing for
poverty but also supremely effective at
getting what she wants; and in the hands
of Nick Toomey (U6g), Faulkland’s odd
motivations became hilariously clear.
Josh Powell (L6e) was Mrs Malaprop, and
the humour of his performance went way
beyond the gag of the drag; he hit all the
subtler notes, too. The histrionics were as
well handled by the servants of the cast
as the grander characters, with James
Allan (4m), Hamish Woodland (4f) and
Sean Williams (4f) teasing laughs out of
the plottiest lines. Tom Kenelm (U6m)
deserves special praise for holding
scenes together with masterly
understatement, and by controlling the
audience as well as the other characters
with no sense of pandering or milking.
Emma Robinson’s directing delivered a
triumph of timing and taste.
BY TOM PAYNE,
WRITER IN RESIDENCE
Joint Schools’ Orchestral Concert
The 82-strong Sherborne School Wind
Band was on fine form at the Joint
Schools’ Concert in mid-November when
triumphant performances of Bugler’s
Holiday (Leroy Anderson) and Lloyd
Webber’s A Symphonic Portrait filled
the Big Schoolroom with almost
breathtaking volume. The accuracy of
this ensemble’s playing is a huge
strength and all the more impressive for
the large numbers involved - so large, in
fact, as to barely fit on the stage. The
trumpet trio in Anderson’s light-hearted
piece - Robert Folkes (L6a), Jack Blakey
(L6a) and Toby Cairns (U6a) - did well to
cut above the texture and added sparkle
to the performance.
Khachaturian’s Adagio from Spartacus
provided the Symphony Orchestra with
an opportunity to display much musical
subtlety in the slow build-up to the
famous passage, often associated with
The Onedin Line, and which culminates
with an orchestral tutti of brilliance and
dazzle. The orchestra is this year led by
Alexander Hole (U6g) and shows
promising form.
Rossini’s William Tell Overture gave the
Sinfonia an opportunity to shine and, as
ever, suggested the future musicianship
of the Symphony Orchestra. There is
much talent here, particularly in the Third
Form. Mussorgsky’s The Great Gate of
Kiev certainly stretched the Sinfonia’s
ability: the collaboration between
Sherborne Girls, Leweston and The
Gryphon is such that musical competition
for places is considerable and this has
undoubtedly raised the standard this
year in particular.
BY JAMES HENDERSON, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
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Rugby
Despite some seasonal fixture
cancellations 140 rugby matches
have been played over the last
13 weeks by 21 School teams.
Enthusiasm for the sport is clear
for all to see. The 1st XV have
made it to round 5 of the Daily
Mail Cup with a home fixture
against Bishop Wordsworth’s to
play in January and the Junior
Colts will play Perins Sports
College in the Daily Mail Vase
competition, following their
50-10 win away at Canford.
STOP PRESS:
Following the recent trials for Dorset and Wilts U15,
Sherborne is delighted to acknowledge the selection of
Fourth Formers George Wallington (d), James Fenwick (m),
Tom Lewis (a) and Fergus Hamilton (c).
Cricket
The School continues to
produce players of the highest
calibre. David Buck (U6m) is in
the England Elite U18 Squad,
Will Homer (L6m) and Richard
Galloway (L6m) have been
selected for the U17 England
Squad. Nick Harris (5g) and
Henry Crane (5b) are due to
attend the south west U16 squad
session before Christmas as they
push for a place in the divisional
festival in February which is a
trial for the England U16 squad.
George Buckney (U6m), Jake
Guildford (L6d), Callum King
(U6f) and Fergus Hughes-Onslow
(5c) join all the aforementioned
in the Bath Academy squad and
will hopefully get the
opportunity to play. They are
joined by Tom Edwards (U6a)
who will be representing the
Exeter Chiefs Academy in the
same competition.
ATHLETICS NEWS:
Harry Lane (U6b), Fergus Huins (L6a) and Jasper Slawson (5e) have all qualified
for the semi-final of the National Schools’ Biathlon Championships.
LOOKING FORWARD...
• 12 January 11.00am Lecture: Richard Corfield
• 13 January 8.15pm Epiphany Carol Service (School Chapel)
• 16 January Prep Schools’ Hockey Tournament
• 18 January 7.45pm Classics Society: Professor Leigh on Virgil
• 18 January 7.45pm The Green House Concert*
• 19 January 11.00am Lecture: James Partridge OBE tbc
• 24 January 7.30pm The David Newton Trio (Tindall Recital Hall)*
• 27 January Fifth Form Parents’ Meetings Pastoral and Academic**
• 2 February 10.30am Confirmation Service (School Chapel)
• 2 February 11.00am Lecture: Mandy Hickson
• 3 February Third Form Parents’ Meetings Pastoral and Academic**
• 3 February 11.00am – 4.30pm Jazz Workshop with Joe Browne (Tindall)*
• 6 February 7.30pm Choral Society Concert: Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius
(The Abbey)*
• 7 and 8 February 8.00pm School House Play Murder in the Red Barn
Jimmy Adams (c 99), Hampshire County
Cricket Club Captain was back at
Sherborne this term to coach our best
Under 16’s and First XI players.
Jimmy gave some insight and expert
advice into preparation and performance
levels required to be a First Class Cricketer.
Ollie Sale (L6m)(pictured), who has been
awarded a two year Academy contract at
Somerset CCC, benefitted hugely from this
experience. Jimmy will be spending most
of winter in England so we will hopefully
be seeing him on a regular basis.
(Powell Theatre)*
• 14 February 7.45pm Valentine’s Day Organ Recital, James Henderson
(Chapel)*
• 15 February 7.30pm Dinner and Jazz (Dining Hall)*
* Tickets for public events can be reserved or bought from
[email protected] T: 01935 812249
** See Blue Book or website for times
• TERM DATES LENT TERM 2013
Begins: Wednesday 9 January (Travelling day)
First Exeat: Friday 25 – Sunday 27 January 4.00pm
Half Term: Friday 15 – Sunday 24 February 4.00pm
Second Exeat: Friday 8 – Sunday 10 March
Ends: 1.00pm Tuesday 26 March
SHERBORNE SCHOOL ABBEY ROAD SHERBORNE DORSET DT9 3AP
T: 01935 812249 E: [email protected] www.sherborne.org
Registered Charity No. 1081228
Photographs: Stephen Heath, Robert Le Poidevin, Giles Reynolds, Kenny Primrose, James Henderson, Innes Davis, Mark Thurman, Ben Bates and others