1. education
2. school

SKYLIGHT
SPrINg 2015
The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School
Events
Mark Grist Visit
In January, four Year 10 English sets were lucky enough to hear
Mark Grist, a poet, spoken word artist and battle rapper, speak to
them on a range of topics. Mr. Grist rapped one of his spoken word
pieces to the boys and even treated them to some freestyle rapping!
In addition to these performances, Mr. Grist talked to the boys
about the technique behind the creation of rap verses, as well as
the use of assonant rhyme to create these verses. Finally, the boys
were given the chance to write a hip hop song of their own, using
assonant rhyme to create coherent and rhythmically fluid verses.
This was a particularly enjoyable process; boys were fascinated by
the mechanics of an incredibly popular contemporary music genre.
Year 7
Learning for
Life
In January, the
normal afternoon
timetable for Year
7 was suspended
and all boys took
part in an afternoon
of ‘Learning for
Life’. This special
programme is
designed to help the boys learn skills that they can adapt and use for
the rest of their school career and beyond... indeed for life! The boys
approached the three workshops (De Bono’s Hats, Emotional Skills and
Memory Skills) with their characteristic enthusiasm. It was also a chance
for them to make new friends from different Houses too.
Year 9 Climate Change Conference
In February, the Year 9 cohort
participated in the first ever
Geography Climate Change
Conference. The Conference
took place in the Bourne and
the Aske Hall with pupils
acting as delegates for one of
sixteen countries. In the first
half of the morning, pupils
listened to key note speeches
from Professor Chris Stokes
(Durham University), Andrew
Miller (OH) and Mr Bown (The
Head of Geography), before
drafting their two resolutions
and then trying to persuade
other countries to support
them! The second half of the morning saw the six successful
countries, whose resolutions had achieved support, presenting their
resolution and answering questions from both their peers and the
judges. After a tense round of voting, it was pleasing to see that
both the Aske and Bourne groups did pass a resolution – something
which has not been achieved by world leaders so far!
Music & Drama
Spring Music
The Spring Term
always proves to
be the busiest
time of year for
our performers,
with a multitude
of concerts and
opportunities for
all of our musicians
to sink their teeth
into. The term
began with our
annual Strings
Concert, where
amongst some
talented solo and
ensemble pieces,
the Symphony
Strings treated us
to some energetic
renditions of
Copland’s Hoedown
and Led Zeppelin’s
Kashmir. Next up
was the Wind and
Jazz Bands’ Concert,
where our most
talented woodwind,
brass and jazz
musicians were able
to showcase their
talent, with particular
credit going to Mr Simms’ polished Big Band set, and some fantastic
chamber group performances. The Keyboard Concert came next,
where some of our finest musicians showcased their nimble-fingered,
virtuosic talent on the Music Schools’ Steinway Piano. The biggest
concert of the year is our Spring Concert, where this year’s headline act
was Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, as well as the Symphony Orchestra’s
performance of Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmilla and the first movement of
Frank’s Symphony in D minor. Having the support of parents and staff
to boost the already mighty sound of our main school choir made for a
monumental performance, and a fantastic evening of music.
Junior House Drama
The Junior House Drama competition took place on 28th January.
The theme of the competition was ‘Ages of Man’, based on Hesiod’s
poetry. Each house devised and wrote a ten minute play inspired
by the characteristics and themes of their
allocated age, the
tone ranging from
tragic to comic.
The quality of the
performances was
very high and the
adjudicator, Daniel
Fraser, had difficulty
deciding the winners of
the various awards. In
the end, Best Play was
awarded to Meadows
with Hendersons second
and Calverts third.
Guys & Dolls
The end of 2014 saw the culmination of five months preparation for the
second joint musical production between the Girls’ and Boys’ school.
Over eighty students, from Year 10 upwards, were involved in the acting
company, in the orchestra, operating sound, lights, flying and special
effects, with a further twenty boys and girls working as part of the stage
crew and supporting wardrobe.
Those lucky enough to secure a seat for one of the four sell-out
performances enjoyed something worthy of the West End. From the first
note of the overture, from Andy Simms’ extraordinary twenty two piece
orchestra, to the final encore, it was clear what extraordinary talent we
have at Haberdashers’ across the two schools.
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The HABS Community
OH Tom Herbert Graduate Director-InResidence at Habs
Tom Herbert (Hendersons
2011), has been working
with the English and
Drama Department this
year as the Graduate
Director-In-Residence. He
says of his time working
at Habs, “I’ve thoroughly
enjoyed working with
the English and Drama
Department this year as
the Graduate DirectorIn-Residence. The most
fulfilling aspect of this role
has been getting to know some of the students during English and
Drama lessons and rehearsals for the various school plays and drama
competitions”. Memorable highlights for Tom have included working
alongside Tim Norton and Hugh Silver during the rehearsal and
set construction for Guys and Dolls, likewise for Romeo and Juliet
with Dawn Morris-Wolffe and A2 English lessons with Thomas EyreMaunsell. No doubt the rehearsal process for The Odyssey will join
the list.
Tom said, “It is particularly gratifying to witness the creative
experiences that will form fond memories for the students involved.
I’m sure that whoever inherits this role will experience the same
pleasure and fulfilment that I have had the fortune to enjoy.”
Tom graduated from Sussex University in 2014 with a First Class
Honours degree in English Literature and intends to apply to the
Royal Court Young Writers Programme and then to Cambridge
University for an MPhil in English: Modern and Contemporary
Literature. He also directed a successful production of Chloe Moss’
This Wide Night at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
OH Nominated for Young Journalist
of the Year
OH Peter Campbell (Hendersons 2007) who writes for the Daily Mail
has been nominated amongst six others for The Press Awards’ Young
Journalist of the Year.
The British Press Awards are considered the ‘Oscars’ of British newspaper
journalism and are regarded across the industry as the most prestigious
title to achieve.
Peter read Politics at the University of York in 2007 and left in 2010
when he joined the Daily Mail on its graduate scheme. He then spent 6
months in Manchester on the Manchester Evening News and 6 months
on the Scottish Daily Mail before joining the City and Finance section
of the Daily Mail in London, where he has been a financial
reporter for the last three
and a half years. He writes
about companies listed on the
stock exchange and also wider
business issues, both for the
business section of the paper
and the main section of the
paper - including numerous
articles on the front page.
Keep updated on what Peter is
up to via:
LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/in/
peterkennethcampbell/
Twitter: @Petercampbell1
Stay in touch with HABS
Online Community – www.habsonline.org.uk
Facebook – The Official Haberdashers’ Askes’ Boys’ School
Twitter - @habsboys
LinkenIn – Haberdashers’ Aske’s Alumni
Informal OH
Reunion for Class
of 1986 in The
Folly, London
Organised and reported
by Nick Todd (Calverts
1986) and Justin Havens
(Joblings 1986):
A subterranean bar
with loud music, dim lighting and full of young
wanabee’s - an unlikely venue for an almost geriatric bunch of OH’ers
(1986 – Boys and Girls). Inspired by a reunion event organised by Matthew
Hall, who sadly passed away in 2012. Although many work and live close
to London, some travelled quite a distance to attend – David Ashley from
Kabul probably won the prize, followed by Simon Scott-Kemble from
Brussels, and closer to home Dominic Driver from Wooten-Under-Edge
and Justin Havens from Cheltenham.
Stalwarts such as Jon McGinty, Keith Davies, Steve Crosher and Paul
Salter all enjoyed themselves, even if the music at times made
conversation a little hard! Former headboy Andrew Fraser-Urquhart also
put in an appearance, along with Paul Goodman, Warren Gordon, Toby
Mitchell, Robert Ohrenstein, Stephen Swift, Guy Shorey and Justin Maltz.
The girls were also well represented, though as per school days,
fraternisation was limited with same sex huddles and the odd mixed
group…but no smoking these days of course! Anna Baldwin, Antonia
Woodwiss, Mandy Connor, Louise Ward, Mel Hoppit, Catherine Kerley
(maiden names only – too confusing otherwise!)
The baton has now been passed onto Justin Havens, who will organise a
further event this summer in London. Get in touch at mail@justinhavens.
com if you want to be added to the mailing list.
Work of Former Staff Mr Laurence Broderick
selected as Top Ten Public Art
‘The Bull’ by Laurence Broderick has been included in the top ten
Public Art sculptures in the world as featured in The Independent.
Other works of art on the same list are Michaelangelo’s David and the
Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island. The sculpture sits in the Bullring,
Birmingham and has gained the title The Guardian. It is made of
hollow bronze with stainless steel and stands at approximately 2.2
meters high weighing 6 tons.
Laurence taught Art at Habs from 1959 and was Director of Art from
1965 - 1981. He continued working as a freelance artist and sculptor
throughout this period and became a full-time sculptor in 1981.
He was contacted and commissioned by Hammersons to make The
Bull for a competition but turned down the invitation as he knew
the enormous cost and time involved in making an art work of that
significance. Although he turned down the first invitation, the major
property development company contacted him a second time. This time
he accepted after much encouragement from his family.
The initial model of the The Bull, which is only 1/6th the size that
currently sits in the Bullring, took about
four months to make. He enquired of
farmers about the bull and was advised
to capture the shoulders as the most
important part of the animal.
He went on to win the competition
and used the prize money of £100,000
to cover the entire cost of making
the work that currently stands in the
Bullring. In the end although he did not
make any financial gain from the work,
The Bull seems to have made its mark in
the public space and on people in Britain
and the world.
Laurence is holding an open studio
exhibition in Waresley, Cambridgeshire
on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July.
For more details, please see website
below:
www.laurencebroderick.co.uk
Awards and Achievements
Aske Project
In January, the Sixth Form celebrated the success
of the Aske Project in a celebration assembly
during which the prize winners presented their
winning projects. The Sixth Form was treated to
outstanding presentations from Second Prize winner
Curran Kumar (U6M2) who presented his project
on What is Epigenetics?, followed by First Prize
winner Noah Halberstam (U6H2) who presented
on Consciousness and Artificial Consciousness: A
Mathematical and Philosophical Approach. Curran
and Noah were inspirational in the depth and scope
of their investigations, demonstrating independent
scholarly inquiry at the highest level.
International Competition for Young Debaters
The Haberdashers’ debating teams were outstandingly successful in their
endeavours on in the regional round of the International Competition for
Young Debaters 2015.
Twenty-four hopeful teams from across the region were greeted in the
historic Cambridge Union by the organisers and, rather unexpectedly, were
told that only two teams would break to the finals day in May. All four of the
Habs teams debated excellently and three of the four teams were chosen
for the final debate. Especially noteworthy performances came from James
Rosen (11C2) and Ben Harris (11R2) who were the only team to win all
three debates, and from Stanley Dench (9C2) and Vincent Lee (10H2) who
were entered into the final debate in their first ever competition. On the
Individual Speaker Rankings, Sahil Baid (11C2) won Best Speaker, Ben and
Theo Lewy (11M1) came joint 2nd and James 5th. The three Habs teams
which debated in the final did so with conviction. The unanimous verdict
given by the judges was that the debate was won by the Habs team of Ben
and James with the team of Sahil and Theo chosen as the second team
returning for the finals in May.
French Speaking Festival
Having seen an opportunity to do both Drama and French
simultaneously, a number of students signed up to participate in the
inaugural French Speaking Festival at King Alfred’s School on Wednesday
4th March. Having spotted the perfect play (‘Le Prénom’ by Matthieu
Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière), French assistant Maxime
Allemande adapted the idea onto paper and gave the boys lines to
learn. Two days before the event, when one of the actors pulled out,
the heroic Toby Cohen (U6H2), decided to join fellow cast members,
Saif-Abbas Chatoo (L6C1), Kinnar Patel (L6H2) and Joshua Davis (L6R2),
so that they could participate at the main event. Upon arrival at the
theatre in Golders Green, the boys were shocked to find Wellington
College on stage rehearsing exactly the same piece. Undeterred, they
stepped on the stage. As the performance was well-received by Mme
Robson in particular and the audience in general, the boys finished full
of confidence. However, after seeing some brilliantly choreographed
pieces from Eton and some impressive spoken French from as Dulwich
College and NLCS, they doubted if success was to follow. Yet, after
long deliberation, the judges decided that Habs should be awarded 1st
place for Best Play and £250 of Eurostar Vouchers to share between
us. All the cast members would like to sincerely thank Mme Robson for
arranging their team and to Maxime Allemande for all his hard work
with rehearsals and perfect pronunciation tips - merci!
British Physics Olympiad Success
Every year, the physics department encourages boys to enter the British
Physics Olympiad Practical Competition 2014. This is a very prestigious
competition which is run by the physics department of University of
Oxford and entered by schools all over the country. This year the
challenge was to investigate the slingshot effect used in space missions
using a simplified model involving dropping a tennis ball on top of a
football, the tennis ball then gains energy from the football when it
bounces off the floor. Congratulations to Ben Shuker (L6J1) and Tristan
Liu (L6S1) who have been awarded gold awards, the highest award, for
their entry and to Arush Pathak (11J1) and Mario Demetroudi (11J2) who
have been awarded silver awards for theirs.
Thirty-nine places at Oxford & Cambridge
Universities
We are very proud of the progress of our university applicants. Thirty nine
boys have received offers from Oxford (13) and Cambridge (26) for 2015
or 2016 entry. This maintains our excellent record of success. Offers for
places at the other Russell and Sutton Group universities have continued to
pour in since September and the vast majority of boys are holding offers
from their first choice universities.
Trips
Prep & Pre-Prep
Senior Ski Trip
Prep School Open House morning
The Senior Ski Trip went to Serre Chevalier in the French Alps this half
term. It was a hugely successful and enjoyable ski trip. The weather
for skiing was incredible. This meant there were no excuses to hang
around in the hotel and there was much satisfying skiing had by all.
The teachers said how brilliantly behaved the boys were. It was also a
great pleasure to hear the hotel staff sing their praises. The boys also
organised presents for both their ski instructors which they presented
with confidence, clarity and good humour.
The Prep School welcomed 102 parents back to school on Friday 31st
January. The parents were invited to observe their sons in two of their
lessons during the morning. Comments ranged from, “I wish I was a pupil
in the Prep - the teachers are inspirational!” to, “No wonder my son is
exhausted at the end of each day!”. It was a very happy occasion enjoyed
by everyone who attended. The next request we shall look into is “Can we
try the Bates Dining Room experience?”
Pre-Prep World Book
Day Parade
To celebrate World Book Day on
Thursday 5th March the Pre-Prep
boys came to school dressed as a
character from their favourite book.
There were a brilliant assortment of
characters; from the inevitable Harry
Potters to a very funny Mr Tickle and
an amazing life-like Yoda.
GCSE Science Live
Forty five Year 10 HABS boys joined a large number of schools
at the Dominion theatre to be presented to by five renowned
scientists in their profession and an experienced chief examiner.
One such speaker was Professor Steve Jones and his presentation
on our genetic inheritance and DNA gave an experience of research
in the field of biology and specifically genetics. A second scientist,
Dr Maggie Aderin-Peacock, recounted her studies of space along
with her dream project of sending people to Mars. For those
interested in the line of medicine, Professor Lord Robert Winston
spoke about his endeavours in gynaecological microsurgery and how
genetic defects in embryos can be prevented. Professor Andrea
Sella demonstrated the significance of chemical reactions and how
they work. Finally, Professor Jim Al-Khalili discussed the possibility
of time travel and the effect of gravity and speed.
Mountaineering club trip to North Wales
Prep School enjoy Forest Schools Education
A group of intrepid year 9s got their first taste of mountaineering
last weekend in the Snowdonia National Park, North Wales. After a
long trip up on Friday evening and a brief night’s rest, Alex Jones
(9R1), Blaise Quinton (9S1), Aryaman Jhunjhunwala (9H2), Danial
Surti (9S2), Eugene Tsang (9S2), Dylan Shah (9H2) and Albert Wright
(9R2) set off for the Ogwen valley led by Drs Hobbs & Gannarelli. All
demonstrated good skills and a willingness to learn immediately on
the way up to Llyn Idwal and, with the weather holding, the challenge
was increased as we picked our way over to and up into the Nameless
Cwm. Unfortunately, a snow filled gully prevented us ascending further
to the ridge, as planned, and so we continued round under Y Gribin to
Cwm Bochlywd before returning to our minibus and the hostel. After
an evening acquiring a different set of skills (darts and pool!), we
departed on Sunday morning to tackle Moel Siabod (872 m). Reaching
the cloudless but
very windy summit
before midday,
we were treated
to some glorious
views across the
National Park.
A swift descent
followed in the
hope of avoiding
the approaching
rain but to no
avail! Despite the
soaking, nothing
could detract from
what had been
a successful and
inspiring weekend
in the mountains.
Research now backs up what Forest Schools practitioners have known all
along – that children and young people are stimulated by the outdoors
and typically experience, over time, an increase in their self-belief,
confidence, learning capacity, enthusiasm, communication and problemsolving skills and emotional well-being. Forest Schools education sets
learning in a different context for children where they can undertake a
range of practical activities and carry out small achievable tasks. At Forest
Schools children can develop their team working skills and also learn to
become more independent. Those who are unfamiliar with woodlands and
green spaces can become confident in using them and this can form the
basis of a life-long relationship with natural spaces.
Sport
IAPS Cross Country
The U11 and U13 teams braved some
very cold conditions as the IAPS Cross
Country races took place at Habs on
3rd February. Frozen ground required
the course to be modified so the ascent
of Elstree Hill which often proves to
be a key feature of the race had to be
omitted for the first time in the races
history at Habs. Nevertheless, the races
were competitive and the U11 Prep
school team led home by Sam Newman
in 12th place finished 4th out of 16
teams just being pipped to 3rd place
by Highgate (184-186 points). The Prep
team had all their scorers in the top 50
but Brentwood, the age group winners, had their team home in the
top 36 and were winners by nearly 40 points.
The U13 team led by Daniel Greenstein in 7th and Adam O’Reilly
12th packed well and the team closed in with 6 runners in the top
30. However this was not enough to deny Caldicott whose team
total of 66 points was 50 points clear of Habs in second with 116.
Habs were winners of the overall trophy in 2014. However, the
strong U13 performance by Caldicott saw them take the trophy
ahead of Habs with St Columbas in 3rd.
Football
The 1st XI football team have had a great start to the season winning
five out of their first six matches this term. The team have played some
lovely passing football, often in difficult conditions, and started with a
5-2 win at Abingdon in which Adam Burchell (L6C2) scored a hat-trick.
They then continued to impress with victories against St Albans (4-1)
and Berkhamsted (3-0). The team’s strength and spirit was also on show
during a highly successful and enjoyable tour of Portugal during the
Christmas break. The team fared very well against two semi-professional
youth teams, winning one game 4-2 and drawing the other match 1-1.
Alex Freedman (L6R1) was voted ‘player of the tour’ for his outstanding
performances whilst in the Algarve.
Cricket
The Solai Indoor Cricket Centre has been in constant use this term as
preparations for the forthcoming season continue apace. Warm-up games
against Middlesex and Hertfordshire age group sides have been arranged
for the end of the Easter holidays and we shall also look forward to
welcoming Christ’s College, one of the top schools in New Zealand, to
Elstree before the start of next term. Leg-spinner Jay Purohit (U6C2) will
captain the 1st XI, with Ian Harris (L6R2) as his vice-captain, and both
can look forward to leading out the side at Lord’s, albeit on the Nursery
Ground, in a T20 game against local rivals Merchant Taylors’ on the 24th
June. Most of last year’s bowling attack remains, but we shall need to
find batsmen to replace the likes of Tom Colverd and Will Wright. Block
fixtures against Berkhamsted, Felsted and Abingdon, amongst others, will
test our cricketers and, in another ‘Ashes’ summer, we will also play host
to Trinity GS from Melbourne. As long as the weather stays good, there is
much to look forward to for all our teams.
Golf Trip
Nine boys accompanied by Mr Ward
and Mr McIntosh set off for Portugal
on Sunday, 15th February, exchanging
the grey, wet British weather for four
days of blue skies and Portuguese
sunshine. The first three rounds
were held over the Pinta, Alto and
Vila Sol courses, which provided
a stern test of the boys’ golfing
skills. PGA Professional Rob Cheney
was on hand at Alto after round
two in the afternoon, teaching
the boys how to read putts using
the “AimPoint” technique, used
by many Tour players. In the final
round at Gramacho, Joe Gale (10J1)
retained the title he won in 2014
with an amazing final round charge, with Vageesh Singh
(8C) finishing as runner-up. At the traditional awards dinner in a
local restaurant, a host of other prizes were awarded, including
the coveted Best Dressed Golfer prize to Anay Sharma (7S1). Mr
McIntosh won a rather one-sided contest over Mr Ward in the Staff
challenge. For many boys this was the first experience of Golf
outside the UK, and we hope that they will be inspired to work on
their games over the coming year to improve their handicaps as
they aspire to join some of the School teams in future years.
Water Polo
After an early journey up to Walsall, Habs U16 and U18 teams competed
in the national finals. After a poor start the U16s recovered to win one
of their group games and qualify for the semi-finals. Unfortunately some
contentious refereeing led to a red card of one of our players and the U16
lost and eventually came 4th. The U18 team also started slowly but also
made it into the semi-finals where they lost on penalties eventually coming
3rd. Overall it was another successful national finals for Habs with two
teams competing and finishing in respectable places. Next year, we aim to
improve and it is well within our grasp to have two national titles for Habs
Waterpolo.
Hockey
It has been a
challenging season
for the first XI hockey
team with results
not always reflecting
the performances.
It was clear this was
going to be a tough
year with pre-season
losses against RGS High
Wycombe and Hitchin.
A narrow 2-1 loss away
against Aldenham
was followed by a
convincing 6-1 defeat
against our rivals MTS in the cup. A good all-round performance and
two goals from Jonny Walker gave us a 3-3 draw against a strong St
Albans side. Despite feeling disappointed that we couldn’t secure our
first win, Mr Cooper congratulated us on our performance. After some
alterations to the side, including bringing in year 10 Adam Shiret, we
put in some mixed performances against Watford, Dr.Challoners and
Stowe, still without any success. Against Harrow, Abheek Dutta secured
the lead with his first goal of the season. Despite an encouraging
performance we were unable to hold the lead, a couple of errors
costing us the game which finished 2-1. Habs put in another strong
start against Hailebury at home, with Jonny Walker’s second double
and Albie ‘Coo’en’s third goal of the season putting us ahead 3-1.
Regrettably we allowed them to come back into the game, leaving the
final score 3-3.
The defence in particular have had a tough season with a lot of
pressure put on them, although some excellent performances from
Daniel Landau and Aaron Yick at the back often kept the score-line
to a minimum. Even with Zach Lim thinking he’s a forward, the
half-backs (Jordan Hastings and Adam Morgan) have also had some
fantastic games. Ollie Marshall, Rahul Shah and Will Yarwood have
worked well together in midfield, linking some exceptional passes and
creating many chances. There are 5 games left in the season, including
the crucial Kukri cup rematch against our rivals MTS, and we can be
confident that if we keep up the standard of our recent performances,
there’s no reason why we can’t finish the season with some success.