Skinners Newsletter Easter 2013.

The Skinners’ School

Unprecedented success –

Skinners’ awarded 4 Green Flags in a row and

Green Flag Ambassador status

Newsletter Term 2013

Following a visit from the Eco Schools assessor last month, we were pleased to hear that we had been awarded another Green Flag – our 4th in a row! The assessor was impressed with the work we are doing to embed sustainable STEM into the curriculum, as well as all our outreach work in primary schools and with Oakley School. The Green Flag is now flying proudly above Old School for another year. Read more on page 12………..

The summer term used to be the time of year when we all took a deep breath, relaxed and soaked up the sunshine and the long bright days. This newsletter is testament to the fact that those days have gone. The giddy whirl of activities, events, distractions, successes and surprises continues. I always enjoy reading the newsletter prior to writing my foreword as I find out so much about the school that I did not know had taken place – it’s getting harder and harder to keep up with the range of different experiences our pupils are enjoying. We have had the hectic period of the run up to the exams. Teachers and pupils have been chasing their tails in an attempt to cover every aspect of the curriculum and revise every element of the course. The time came to say goodbye to our Year 13s. This year as an end of term present for Mr James, who had been teaching eco-systems in an unusually enthusiastic way, our leavers decided to create an eco-system for him. The newly-turfed room K3 had its own pair of chickens and a fine array of shrubs and small plants. The classroom has since been restored to its full use and I understand the chickens are laying happily and well at the home of one of our caretakers. Early indications from our exam groups are that all seems to have gone well and pupils have successfully negotiated the first stages of the exam season. There have been no surprises and plenty of smiles as the pupils left the examination hall. We look forward to the outcome of the pupils’ and teachers’ hard work in the summer. In the meantime the school has recruited an outstanding Deputy Head to join the school in January 2014. Julian Metcalf will be an exciting addition to the Leadership Team and joins us from Dartford High School for Boys via an impressive career at the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and the organisation accrediting the IB qualification.

Mr Simon Everson Headmaster

In this issue: Page 3 Charlie at the Saatchi Page 4 The Great Easter Bake-Off Page 5 Year 9 Architecture Workshop Pages 6-7 Enrichment Page 8 Cross Country Successes Page 9 Rugby News Page 10 The Tall Ships Race Page 11 A Day Without Friction Page 12 Green Flag Success Page 13 Visit to the Europa Centre Page 14 Fundraising Page 15 Cantina Mexicana Page 16 Club 2000 Winners Pages 17-18 Dates Ahead

On the evening of 17th April 2013. a collection of art lovers from the Skinners' School travelled to the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea to the exhibition of the work of the 20 chosen finalists in the 2012 Saatchi Gallery/Sunday Telegraph Art Prize for Schools, sponsored by Deutsche Bank. On a beautiful Spring evening and in a world renowned and internationally famous venue, they had come to see if one of Skinners' students would win the prize. Charlie Hurlock's portrait of his father, Peter , one of the 20 works from an initial entry of 13,000 from 5 countries, was on view and he was hopeful, as were his art teachers

that he could scoop the first prize of £2000 with £10000 going to the school's art department! The first prize, for a fine portrait, was awarded to Dafydd Williams, aged 18, from Swansea,. But Charlie, now studying philosophy at Bristol, should console himself that the great and the good of the artistic community now know of his work; his name and his portraiture is out on view for future commissions and exhibitions. It is the first time a student from Skinners' has exhibited at The Saatchi Gallery and getting down to a final exhibition of 20 works from an international entry of 13,000 is no mean feat ; I am sure we will yet see this young man's name up in lights!

Frances Tappenden Head of Art

CHARLIE AT THE

S A A T C H I

If you thought some year 12 students were looking a bit portly at the end of March it’s because in the run up to Easter the masterchefs of L6S5 were putting their cake making skills to the test in a bake-off competition. Every morning for 2 weeks, we tasted and judged a home baked cake, marking it on appearance, texture and taste. There were some excellent entries, from Isaac Hooper’s gingerbread house cake and Dan Corner’s rocky road cake to Henry Willetts’s bulls eye cake, complete with arrow. The runner up was Jack de Carle’s Easter bunny cake, but the runaway winner was Nick Newton’s snowman cake. The outer decoration with its snowman’s head was greeted with plenty of oohs and aahs, but when Nick cut the cake open to reveal 6 different coloured layers arranged in spectrum order (a true physicist), we were all amazed. It tasted fantastic too. Well done to all the boys who entered the competition. An ice-cream competition has been called for at the end of the summer term, by which time our waistlines should have recovered.

Ruth Mead, L6S5 tutor

In March, Year 9 took part in an architecture workshop. Initially we discussed types of bridges and found out that Tower Bridge is a Support bridge with two towers. After negotiating the construction of tetrahedrons (triangular based pyramids) with six sticks and elastic bands we used a group of them to make the basic structure of our bridges. Year 9 were then set the task to build their own bridges with limited supplies. We could build a support bridge, cantilever or suspension bridge – just as long as it was possibly to have miniature cars or pedestrians cross the bridge. Our group made a halfway cantilever and half suspension bridge. Using 2 metre rods we made a triangular tower to which we attached our basic road structure. Using lots of elastic bands and rods we made a super strong suspension system. It was earthquake tested by the instructor and we got full marks. A great day to learn about architecture and teamwork! By William Taylor, Josh Bersey, Oliver Paice, Ammar Hussain, Luke Matthews and Jack Holden Year 9

One complete bridge and happy builders!

Half way through with basic road structure made

The winning design

University of Glasgow Event We were delighted to host an event for the University of Glasgow and 30 students attended this year’s Regional Oxbridge Admissions conference held at Epsom Racecourse. We have had an enormous number of talks in the last term or so, including organisations such as the Council for British Arab Understanding, the Friends of Israel, Age UK, the Samaritans, the Metropolitan Police (Knife Crime in London) and an expert in the field of mental health. Craig Fleming Assistant Head Teacher

Members of the Upper Sixth hear a talk from Dr Anne Hammond from the Law Department of the University of East Anglia

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Anthony Asindi-

Onwusanya

Winner of the 2013 Cripps Harries Hall

Undergraduate Award for Law

Members of the Lower Sixth Geography group at Braunton Burrows,

Devon. 48 students and 4 members of staff had

an excellent week’s work at this year’s Senior

Geography Field Course, despite the rather uncomfortably low

temperatures.

Members of Years

11 and 12 with students from

Worcester College, Oxford as part of

their Oxbridge preparation

Howard Collins OBE.

Old Skinner and Chief Operating Officer for Transport for London and organiser of the Underground for the

2012 London Olympics with Barney

Peacock-Young (Deputy Head Boy) and Dominic Dark

(Head Boy).

The U13 Cross Country team, consisting of Year 7 and 8 boys, entered the Mayor of Bromley and Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC Cross Country Challenge. James Puxty (pictured here with the yellow gloves) won the race, with Theo Hall in third, Oscar Hussey a close fourth and James Stoney in 19th. As a result, the team comfortably won the U13 Boys Team Competition ahead of second placed Whitgift. A total of 10 boys from Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 represented the Tunbridge Wells District in the Kent Schools Cross Country Championships. All the boys placed highly, aiding the District to finish second in the U13 and U15 age groups. All the boys received Silver medals for their performance. Individually, James Puxty (Year 8), competing in the U13 age group, won the Southern Championships. He also finished 10th in the English National Championships and 18th in the Inter-Counties Championships (shown on Sky Sports). Well done James!

Simon Jervis Head of Physical Education

CROSS COUNTRY

SUCCESSES

U16 A team won the inaugural Kent 7’s Cup (pictured above) and the B team won The Plate competition. The A team won 28-5 against Judd in the final and the B team won 24 – 10 against Borden Grammar A Team.

U18 rugby team

won the St Olaves 7’s

Tournament finishing ahead of Judd, Eltham

College and Maidstone Grammar.

RUGBY NEWS

I have been selected to sail on Leg 1 of the Tall Ships Race 2013, with the Rona Sailing Project, one of the oldest Sail Training organisations in the UK. They ensure that crews come from a wide variety of social backgrounds: from the well-adjusted, to those in the care of Social and Probation Services, as well as those in between. Over 20,000 young people have been given the experience of a lifetime, instilling greater self-confidence and a new perspective on the world. Apart from a dedicated full-time team of just five, the Project has 400 volunteers, who are Skippers, Mates, Watch Officers and Watch Leaders. They own three sailing vessels – Rona II (68ft ketch), Donald Searle (75ft ketch), and Merrilyn (62ft Bermudan Schooner).

Watch Leader I am a Watch Leader within the project – normally in charge of about 6-8 crew members, which is often quite an interesting experience, particularly when many of them have never set foot on a boat before. For the Tall Ships race, I will be sailing as a normal crew member.

3,500 young people take part The Tall Ships Race is open to Sail Training vessels. Hence Rona II is entered every year. There are many types of sailing vessel that compete in the race, from small 50ft boats, right up to 200m square rigged boats run by Sea Cadet Corps. In total, about 3,500 young people take part. Entry is worldwide, so you genuinely meet everyone from all corners of the earth. The all-male crew on Rona II, including myself, will be racing from Aarhus in Denmark, to Helsinki, the capital of Finland. To sail as crew, you must have sailed with the Rona Trust before, and shown both ability and potential.

A week to complete We will be sailing the boat in four hour watches, with half of us on deck, whilst the other half are down below resting, or preparing meals. The race will take about a week to complete. It is often gruelling, in the open ocean with no sight of land in a hefty swell. However, it will be a worthwhile and rewarding experience.

Ben Webb Year 13

THE TALL SHIPS

RACE 2013

A short story by Y7 pupil Freddie Sard – based on a science homework where students had to imagine a world without ‘friction’.

A day to slip on…... I woke up in the morning feeling like I had smashed into a wall. That was when I realised that I actually had smashed into a wall. The duvet had fallen off my bed and was skidding down the stairs and I think my bed was chasing after it! I tried to scramble onto my feet but I slipped as though I was in space! There was no texture, no grip. I clearly was not going anywhere so I reached up to my desk and scrambled for my TV remote to find out what was going on. I tried to push the buttons but my fingers just slipped and soon the remote glided off the desk landing on my lap and continuing its course. Fortunately, I stopped it with my knees. Finally, I managed to push the button. My TV flickered to life and the news was on. There was a reporter slipping and sliding, the microphone slipping from his hands like a bar of soap. “Sooowhoah! As you ooo oo can probably eee see. Suddenly all all allll!” the reporter fell onto his back and skidded away screaming “Friction has disappeared from the Earthhhhhhh!” “No friction, wow!” I thought, I realised what had happened to me and desperately tried to look out of the window and saw birds flapping their wings hopelessly but not being able to catch the air. I had an idea... I pulled the mattress off my bed and attempted to grab my bedside fan. After a while, I grabbed it and mounted it on the back of my mattress which I was now sitting on. I fumbled with the button then flicked the fan on. Nothing rough was stopping me so I rocketed down the stairs being propelled by my fan. I smashed into the downstairs wall and span out of the door, which was swinging uncontrollably. Outside I was soaring down the road, watching cars spinning crazily and crashing into trees. An ice cream van had crashed and children were desperately trying to pick up the free, super- slippery lollies and sweets! With the wind in my face yet not giving any resistance at all, I realised my clothes were beginning to slip off! I clenched onto them but all my hands did was slip like I was trying to grab a frozen bar of soap covered in grease! So there I was, flying down the street on a mattress, in my boxers. If there was another day like this, I would try a different strategy. Maybe cover myself in sandpaper?

Freddie Sard 7A

A DAY TO SLIP ON; A DAY WITHOUT FRICTION

National STEM Finalists 2013

From L to R : Carl Thomas, Tom Cloke, Louis Hampton

The ‘Closed Loop Irrigation System’ developed for the HEAL garden, was selected as a finalist in this year’s National Science and Technology Awards – the second time in 3 years we have been finalists . The boys were invited to the Big Bang Fair for 3 days to showcase their work. Apart from demonstrating their own work it was also a great opportunity for them to see the fantastic projects being done by other schools and to meet other scientists and technologists from major companies. It was a tiring 3 days being an Exhibitor, but ultimately a rewarding experience as they got to see all the latest gadgets and inventions! Mark Moody Head of STEM

Bio Olympiad 2013 Our best ever year with two Silver Medals and a Bronze for the Y13 Biology Team, up against hundreds of other A2 Biologists from around the country. Left to Right: Josh Lowe - Highly Commended Owen Miller – Bronze Medal James Engelback – Silver Medal Toks Fadipe - Silver Medal Also Highly Commended: Ed Grant Thorold and Quentin Wedmore

Success - Green Flag Flies above Skinners’ for the 4th Year Following a visit from the Eco Schools assessor last month, we were pleased to hear that we had been awarded another Green Flag – our 4th in a row! The assessor was impressed with the work we are doing to embed sustainable STEM into the curriculum, as well as all our outreach work in primary schools and with Oakley School. The Green Flag is now flying proudly above Old School for another year.

As part of a group of thirty Year 8 pupils, I went to the Europa Centre on February 15th 2013. When walking into the Europa Centre, what you see in the inside isn’t at all the same on the outside. On the outside, you see a plain bungalow-like sort-of building, in the inside; you’ve just entered France in the terms of a mock village. Upon arriving at the centre, I thought, how is my French compared to the people at the village? With the help received from the staff at the centre and the language power duo, Mrs Wickham and Mr Renaudie, I had nothing to worry about. When we entered the building, we received a warm welcome and were escorted to a room where we got to learn something about the people who work there and the French speaking countries they come from. There were many shops in “Europa Street” inside the building, such as Barclays©, Europa Cafe and Hotel Europa etc. We were put in real life

situations, such as buying food, booking flights and buying items of clothing etc., and were only speaking in French. We all had lots of fun pretending to be citizens of the Europa Town. I was set up and blamed for stealing others’ belongings which was quite amusing . That day I learnt a new phrase that I will never forget thanks to the staff and my peers chanting, “Au prison” which means “to prison”. Thank you to Mrs Wickham for organising the trip, it was very enjoyable and fun for everyone who went and I would recommend it to future classes.

Tahmid Islam 8S

Form 8S held a cake sale where they raised £103. Additionally, Tahmid Islam from 8S raised £81 for Red Nose Day by doing a sponsored silence. Well done Tahmid!

The boys and staff were recently treated to a Mexican themed lunch. The menu

for the day included....

PASTELDI TORTILLA CHILLI TANGY CHICKEN

MIXED BEAN BURRITOS SPICY BEEF TACOS

SALSA AND CHEESE NACHOS SWEET POTATO WEDGES

MEXICAN SPICED RICE

BANANA & CHOCOLATE CHIMICHANGAS

WITH HOT CHOCOLATE SAUCE

CANTINA MEXICANA

v

And behind the impressive moustaches a few of our fun loving, friendly and talented canteen staff!

CLUB 2000 WINNERS

APRIL 2013 DRAW:

1ST MRS R BOUGHTON £180.00 2ND MR S R FRASER £ 90.00 3RD MR W HALLIGAN £ 45.00

June 2013

Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

33A

3 Term 6 begins

4 5 6 Year 12 return from study leave

7 8 9 CCF Bisley Shoot

34B

10 Years 7-10 exams all week

11 PA AGM followed by Committee meeting, 7pm

12 13 HOD meeting @ 4pm in L7

14 15 16

35A

17 Years 7-10 exams all week

18

19

20 New Year 7 Parents Evening, 8pm in Dining Hall

21 Set up in Thomson Theatere for Year 10 Drama practical

22 Year 10 Drama prep in Thomson Theatre

23 Year 10 Drama prep in Thomson Theatre Year 8 Loire Valley trip departs

36B

24 Year 10 Drama practical exam week. Technical set up day AS/A2 Art moderation in School Hall Year 8 Loire Valley trip all week

25 AS/A2 Art moderation in School Hall Year 10 Drama practical

26 AS/A2 Art moderation in School Hall Year 9 CATS in Sports Hall all morning Year 10 Drama practical set up

27 Year 12 reports to pupils Year 12 personal statement morning in Dining Hall AS/A2 Art Exhibition in School Hall Year 10 Drama practical performance

28 Period 1: Year 11 book return in Dining Hall. Period 2: Year 13 book return in Dining Hall. Period 2: Year 11 Work Experience briefing in TT Year 12 reports to Parents. AS/A2 Art Exhibition in School Hall Year 8 Loire Valley trip returns Year 13 Leavers’ Party in Dining Hall 7.00 to 10.00pm

29 CCF Annual Camp departs

30

July 2013

Week Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

37A

1 CCF Annual Camp all week Year 10 Report deadline Year 5 Open Morning 1 (Sept 2013 entry) 10.30am-12pm

2 Year 5 Open Morning 2 (Sept 2013 entry) 10.30am-12pm

3 Year 5 Open Morning 3 (Sept 2013 entry) 10.30am-12pm

4

5 Year 7-10 exam results and grades in Aim High. Year 9 Battlefields History trip

6 World Challenge to Ecuador departs (JB/JJB/SE/RJS)

7

38B

8 9 PA Non-uniform day Summer Concert 7.30pm in Thomson Theatre

10 Sports Day

11 Year 10 reports issued to pupils. New Year 7 induction day

12 Year 10 reports issued to parents. Sports Day (rain day)

13 PA Summer Fete

14

39A

15 16 17 Activities Day

18 Years 7-10 exam results issued

19 Term 6 ends Full School Assembly Periods 1-3 as normal. Depart @2pm

20 21

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Susan Phyall Assistant Head