SKYLIGHTAUTUMN 2013

The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School

Music and DramaAutumn MusicThe first concert of the year was the extremely popular Autumn concert which took place just before half term. Highlights included the Year 7 singers, the School Choir, the impressive Big Band and Symphony Orchestra. The Junior concert which followed provided an excellent opportunity for the Music Department to showcase the wealth of talent that exists in the Junior School. November saw the Visual Music Extravaganza where the Art and Music Departments combined for the second year running to provide an evening of aural and visual excellence. We look forward to the Prep School’s Words and Music and the Carol Service in St Albans Cathedral later in December.

Senior PlayIn December, the Bourne Hall played host to an outstanding production of George Farquar’s rip-roaring 18th Century comedy “The Recruiting Officer”. A magnificent recreation of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, as it was in 1700, complete with chandelier and footlights served as the backdrop to some truly memorable performances. Harry Sammons (U6M2) took the title role of Captain Plume, a dashing figure, who had ridden 200 miles non-stop to reach the town of Shrewsbury, Harry won hearts and recruits with equal measure, while Kurran Pooni (U6J2), as the conniving Sergeant Kite, was a force with which to be reckoned. His opening speech to the recalcitrant mob of Shrewsbury inhabitants was one of blistering energy that set the play off to a cracking pace. Harry Kingdon (L6S2), as the foppish Captain Brazen, must take the prize for thoroughly owning the entire stage and auditorium every time he took a step onto it, however. His outrageous, larger than life creation was a joy to behold; his comic timing and precisely crafted gestures providing much of the evening’s comedy, but how we all chilled when Kingdon dropped the full-bottomed wig and lace handkerchief to march his army of recruits off to a very real and potentially fatal future in the very final moment of the play; a thoroughly heart stopping twist. With a cast and crew numbering well over fifty students from the Boys and Girls schools this was yet another triumph for the Drama Department, showcasing the talents of boys working alongside each other from Year 10 up to Year 13 and highlighting the very best of what HABS can offer.

The Buddy Scheme On Wednesday 11th September, the new Year 7 students enjoyed their first meeting with their Year 11 buddies. It was a great success. The buddy initiative, launched last year by the School Council, is designed to help Year 7 students settle and integrate into school life. Every Year 7 student is allocated to a buddy in the same House in Year 11, and given opportunities throughout the year to meet and ask questions about school life. Credit is due to Tilak Joshi (Year 13 – outgoing Director of Buddies) and Harry Kingdon (Year 12 – incoming Director of Buddies) for setting up the scheme.

The Science of FireworksIn October, The Habs Science Society was privileged enough to be able to host Matthew Tosh, a pyrotechnician, to demonstrate the science behind fireworks and explosives. He led the audience through the stages of gunpowder’s use, from a flammable compound to a high explosive and ultimately a firework. His excellent use of projected videos and diagrams helpfully explained the chemistry behind explosions, yet what sort of pyrotechnician would he be had he not practically demonstrated one? Safe to say, the audience was well entertained by a series of controlled explosions, increasing in magnitude, which culminated in a single explosion so large it sent shockwaves to all four corners of the Bourne Hall.

Events

Art Staff Art ShowThe Private View of the very first Art staff Art Show here at HABS took place on the evening of Thursday 7th November. It was a delightful occasion attended by a number of staff, parents, students and even several OH’s. This show was a chance to raise money for the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead, with generous donations being made throughout the evening and also 10% of all Art work sold during the show.

Adventurous Training LaunchThe new Adventurous Training option, launched this term for Year 10 boys as an alternative to CCF/SCS on Friday afternoons, has got off to a flying start. Forty boys, divided into six groups completed a Basic Survival course, involving camp-craft, orienteering and raft-building, prior to Field Day activities: an overnight camp with cooking by campfire, with route-planning and hiking taking place the following day. The rest of the term involves the activities which groups chose at the beginning of the year: some are learning Fencing, some are building trebuchets and catapults as parts of the Ballistics option, while others have been introduced to the French Martial Art of Savate. Over the course of the year the boys will try out further new activities, build on the team dynamic which has allowed them already to achieve much this term, and discover aptitudes they never realised they had before.

Join HabsOnline and get regular exciting email updates, invitations to events and become a part of a growing network of Old Boys, Parents and Former Staff: go to www.habsonline.org.uk

Buddies) for setting up the scheme.of gunpowder’s use, from a flammable

building, prior to Field Day activities:

showcase the wealth of talent

was in 1700, complete with chandelier

to some truly memorable performances. Harry Sammons (U6M2)

The HABS Community

2014, Centenary Year of The Haberdashers’ Aske’s School CCF The CCF will be celebrating one hundred years during 2014 with a series of special events and exciting Field Day activities for the cadets and wider HABS Community. Keep an eye on the e-bulletin to see what is happening and when.

Doug Yeabsley Appeal 2013 - 2014 This is an appeal to the wider school community led this year by Doug Yeabsley (in letters to our Old Boys and former staff in mid-October) and supported by the Headmaster writing to current parents. Doug started at HABS in the 1963 - 1964 academic year making this his 50th year at HABS, and it is in celebration of this remarkable achievement that he was invited to be the patron of the annual appeal. The heart of his appeal is to increase the number of Foundation Scholarships (100% bursaries plus funds for uniforms, meals, coaches, trips, etc) that we can provide to bright boys from deprived backgrounds. This is the very essence of the HABS ethos—that no bright boy be turned away because of family financial hardship. We are sincerely grateful for the support of our community in this. Thanks to you, there are four Foundation Scholars currently at HABS; they are thriving here, and with your help we can support many more into the future.

In addition, we are also pleased to present ‘Transforming Lives’, a short video showcasing how your gifts have helped boys in the past as well as stories from other donors within the community. We hope you will take the time to watch this, be inspired and share it with others.

You can access the Transforming Lives video by selecting the Foundation heading on the main school website (www.habsboys.org.uk)

Class of 2004, Ten Year Reunion When at school, ten years seems such a long time, but as the OH who returned for their ten Year Reunion discovered, that time can fly by rather quickly. On Thursday 7th November the Class of 2004 returned to HABS for a relaxed and friendly drinks reception in the Old Refectory and enjoyed an evening of reminiscing about their school boy antics and catching up with news since. Many of the guests were able to chat with their teachers and tutors including Mr Donaghey, Mr and Mrs Swallow, Mr Hardman and Mr Holmes. Mrs Robson brought in her home-made ‘Thank You’ card from her Year 7 form to show some of the visitors. Mr Hamilton, Headmaster, recounted tales of the year group that stand out clearly in his mind and he did mention that he can laugh about them now! We will be hosting a ten year Reunion during the next academic year for the Class of 2005. Further details will be published in the e-bulletin later next year. Do make sure that we have your contact details to ensure you hear about the event.

Join HabsOnline and get regular exciting email updates, invitations to events and become a part of a growing network of Old Boys, Parents and Former Staff: go to www.habsonline.org.uk

Stay in touch with HABS Online Community – www.habsonline.org.ukFacebook – The Official Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School Twitter - @habsboysLinkenIn – Haberdashers’ Aske’s Alumni

1950s Reunion Following requests from our OH who attended the school before it moved to Elstree in 1961 for a gathering, the Headmaster hosted an event for fifty guests on Thursday 14th November. Gentlemen who left the school between 1950 and 1959 visited HABS for a lunch, some of whom had never seen the school at its ‘new’ site. Curious to see the school in action today, the visitors were given tours by some of the sixth form boys. It really was a pleasure to welcome so many OH to HABS once again after such a long time.

Gentlemen who left the

Margaret Taylor Memorial Concert It was with much regret and sorrow that the HABS Community lost one of it’s greatest stalwarts in the Summer when Margaret Taylor passed away. Margaret was the wife of Dr Tom Taylor, the Headmaster responsible for moving the school to its current site at Elstree from Hampstead in 1961. She was a lady of boundless enthusiasm and extraordinary vitality, and played a pivotal role in helping to elevate a well-respected London school into one of the leading independent schools in the nation. Following her husband’s retirement in 1973 and death eight years later, Margaret continued to support the school and was a regular guest at school plays, concerts and special events. A Service of Thanksgiving took place in September in St Albans at the church where she worshipped for over thirty years. On Thursday 28th November, the School hosted a Memorial Concert celebrating her life through some of her favourite pieces of music. Friends and former staff joined with members of her family to remember Margaret in this way and at the request of the family a number of gifts were offered to the HABS Foundation in support of Music in her memory.

This is an appeal to the wider school community led this year by Doug Yeabsley (in letters to our Old Boys and former staff in mid-October) and supported by the Headmaster writing to current parents. Doug started at HABS in the 1963 - 1964 academic year making this his 50th year at HABS, and it is in celebration of this remarkable achievement that he was invited to be the patron of the annual appeal. The heart of his appeal is to increase the number of Foundation Scholarships (100% bursaries plus funds for uniforms, meals, coaches, trips, etc) that we can provide to bright boys from deprived backgrounds. This is the

school between 1950 and 1959 visited

tours by some of the sixth form boys.

HABS boys receive Institute of Linguists certificates The latest cohort of Year 11 boys to have completed our post-GCSE extension courses in French, German and Spanish received their certificates this week. The courses – accredited by the Institute of Linguists – gave the top set linguists the opportunity to tackle some demanding content (for example literature, film study, the society of the country) and exposed them to a register of language not usually encountered until the Sixth Form. Despite the challenging nature of the course and the demands of their other GCSE subjects, a record thirty five boys achieved a Distinction, the top grade. Special praise was offered by the Institute to those few boys who achieved a distinction in two languages: Paul Artunduaga (L6C2), Curran Kumar (L6M2), Zachary Lande (L6H1), Boaz Levy (L6J1), Jack Ottman (L6S1), Paddy Sidwell (L6M1) and Hugo Chung (L6J1). Special certificates were also awarded to the highest-performing pupils in each language: our congratulations go to Toby Cohen (L6H2), Keval Haria (L6J2) (pictured here), Anton Clare (L6H2) and Paul Artunduaga.

Awards and Achievements

‘Redial’ student video published to YouTubeOn Tuesday 1st October, an exciting and exclusive event was held in the Seldon Hall for the cast and crew of a new original short film produced by Director of ICT Mr Ian Phillips’ new moviemaking team - Jake Cooper (11M2), Noah Max (10H2) and Efrem Edel (11C1). The film has been in production since late last May and it has been a learning curve for all three boys.

Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Cadets Competition The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Competition is a yearly event that tests mainly Army Cadet Forces (ACF) affiliated to the Fusiliers. The ACF are different to the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), they parade twice a week and can focus on these highly contested competitions with bespoke training evenings. The six competition stands of marching, RRF history, first aid, a kims game (memory test), a command task and fire control order test preceded by a thorough inspection were hard work for the cadets. The boys relied on some last minute cramming up on RRF history, strong shouting voices (fire control orders), team work and camaraderie to achieve a very credible 3rd place. The top three teams had only a point between each of them. The Colonel City of London, Colonel Nigel Easton QVRM TD presented the boys with their certificates.

Hendersons Fun Run On Wednesday 9th October, the whole of Hendersons House came together for their first charity event of the year, the annual Fun Run. With a theme of superheroes, and the traditional ‘anything red’, the costumes were more impressive than ever, with highlights including multiple Batmen, Supermen, Spidermen, and even a few dressed as Arsenal-man! The whole House posed for the house photo and then everyone was off! The run was completed first by Max Marmor (11H1), but in true Hendersons’ tradition, there was a round of applause at the finish line regardless of when each runner (or walker!) finished. Most importantly, the run was a great success in raising funds for the House charity, Third Hope. Over the past two years Hendersons has raised over £15,000 for Third Hope and they aim to break the £20,000 barrier over the course of this year.

Musician selected for National Youth OrchestraCongratulations to Bruce Parris (10M2) who has gained a place in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain on the bassoon. Bruce had to undergo two rounds of rigorous auditions, and has been selected as one of six bassoonists out of over one hundred who auditioned from across Britain. Bruce will have the opportunity to perform in top concert halls across Britain, including The Sage Gateshead and the Royal Festival Hall, and to be conducted by the likes of Edward Gardner, Francois-Xavier Roth, and Paul Daniel.

Awards swept at RRSIMUN Over the first weekend of half term, two committee chairs and twenty delegates (veterans and beginners alike) attended the Royal Russell School International Model United Nations conference in Croydon, representing the countries of Togo, Kenya, Peru and Malta. Delegates were assigned to specialist committees to draw up resolutions on a variety of different international issues. HABS delegates upheld their reputation and performed exceedingly well, with nearly half of them winning a Distinguished Delegate award, and the Togo delegation as a whole being recognised with the Outstanding Delegation award (awarded only to the best three delegations in the entire conference).

Join HabsOnline and get regular exciting email updates, invitations to events and become a part of a growing network of Old Boys, Parents and Former Staff: go to www.habsonline.org.uk

Trips

Prep and Pre-PrepHampton Court Palace Trip Early in the Autumn term, Year 5 visited one of the most famous buildings in Britain. They took a close look at the outside of the palace, adorned with the King’s Beasts, the signs and badges showing Henry VIII’s lineage and studied the Astronomical Clock in the courtyard, showing the time, month, day, zodiac signs and low and high tides at London Bridge. They also discovered the unusual clothes people wore in Tudor England. This was a wonderful place to visit with much more to see and learn than they had time for.

Donkin CupThe Pre-Prep boys had an exciting afternoon on Monday 7th October when they took part in the annual Donkin Cup running race at the Main School. The weather was beautiful and the boys were supported by enthusiastic and cheering mums and dads.

Year 2 Trip to the Wetland Centre As part of the Learning Outside the Classroom curriculum, the Year 2 boys visited the Wetland Centre at Barnes on Wednesday 16th October. Despite the inclement weather, the boys had a challenging and stimulating day taking part in pond dipping, watching otters, identifying lots of birds and enjoying an amazing adventure playground.

Bologna Exchange During the October half term, nine GCSE Italian students, along with two girls from St. Paul’s Girls’ School, set out on the annual Italian exchange to Bologna. Their week began with a guided tour of Bologna and its many squares, churches and, most notably, the bakeries! They also enjoyed day trips to Venice and Florence and were treated to a visit to their exchanges’ school for a day. A highlight of the trip was the view from the top of the Asinelli Tower over the red roofs of Bologna.

Hastings Trip On 4th October, Field Day, all of Year 7 went on a History Trip to Hastings. This was a splendid opportunity for the boys to get to know each other (and their teachers) a little better, and to learn some history by studying the battlefield at Hastings. Highlights included the chaotic re-enactment of the first stages of the battle and the killing of Harold (in the form of a teacher who did not quite know what was to happen to him). We hope that this first taste of a History trip will make the boys keen to go on the fabulous trip to Agincourt in June.

New York Art TripDuring half term twenty nine budding HABS Artists and three staff travelled across ‘the pond’ to spend five days visiting the marvellous range of Art galleries in the city of New York, these included: The Metropolitan, The MoMa, (Museum of Modern Art), The Whitney, The Frick Collection and also Frank Lloyd Wrights’s Guggenheim Gallery. The party also managed to visit some of the iconic buildings and landmarks in the city, such as The Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial site. The students were given the opportunity to draw in their sketch books from

direct observation, looking at the trees and landscapes in the world famous Central Park, as the colours of Autumn spread across the park. One of the many highlights was the walk from downtown Manhattan to Brooklyn, across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

French Exchange During half term a group of Year 11 French pupils set off to Aix-en-Provence for a week-long exchange. As well as practising their French, they visited some of the interesting towns and cities including a visit to the city of Marseille, the small yet beautiful Aix and the historical town of Arles. Highlights included a magnificent view over the whole of Marseille and the Vieux Port from the church Notre Dame de la Garde and the incredibly well-preserved arena and amphitheatre in Arles.

with two girls from St.

They also enjoyed day

direct observation, looking at the trees and landscapes in the world famous Central Park, as the colours of Autumn spread across the park. One of the many highlights was the walk from downtown Manhattan to Brooklyn, across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

This was a wonderful place to visit with much

Sport

Inter-House RugbyOn Saturday 12th October, the school held the inaugural INTER-HOUSE RUGBY 7s DAY. Each House provided two teams per year group, resulting in over eight hundred boys coming into school to play rugby. The spectacle was further enhanced by seven hundred and twenty parents attending throughout the day and the superb atmosphere struck a chord with all those present. The event was intended to allow boys the opportunity to show their allegiance and commitment to their House through the medium of rugby and its success was in no small part due to the boys’ wholehearted approach to the day.

Cross CountryDespite thinking it would be hard to match last year’s achievement of winning four out of six Watford and District cross country trophies, the HABS squad performed superbly to match their performances of 12 months ago, winning the Year 8, 9, 10 and 11 titles. Jamie Harper (8M) led the Year 8 team to victory by winning the individual race in style. A much improved Henry Rocha (8S) followed closely in 3rd place, while the scoring team of 6 finished inside the top-26 to confirm HABS domination in the age group. The Year 9 race saw good tactics from Dom Evans (9M1) and Harry Garland (9S1) in 4th and 5th, with the team closing inside the top-50 to win by a margin. This was a similar story in the Year 10 race, where Ashvin Kuri’s (10M2) fine 10th place and solid packing inside the top-30 saw us again victorious. The pièce de résistance came in the form of the Year 11 team, who ran superbly to close all scoring runners comfortably inside the top-25, with 4 of the top-5 places filled by HABS athletes. Leading the way was Dylan Kaye (11M2) with a splendid individual victory.

CricketThe 1st XI enjoyed an excellent second half to the summer term, winning nine out of eleven games in that period, including notable victories against Bancroft’s, the Fraser Bird XI and touring Australians, Wesley College from Melbourne. Captain Tom Colverd (U6C1) and Will Wright (U6R1) were arguably the most prolific opening pair of schoolboy batsmen in the country, scoring three centuries apiece and sharing in no fewer than six three-figure partnerships. Elsewhere, congratulations go to the U14As who defeated Sir John Lawes School from Harpenden to win the County Cup for the third year in a row at this age level. They will now represent Hertfordshire in the national competition in 2014.

HockeyThe Hockey season may not officially start until after the New Year but this has not stopped the Hockey club from training hard and playing a number of matches. The 1st XI squad played exceptionally well against RGS High Wycombe, winning 4-2. A drag flick into the side netting by Anand Patel (U6M1) was the pick of the goals but the manner of the performance, particularly as they are a new squad, was most pleasing. Three other age groups played against RGS High Wycombe and despite losing performed well. On a separate note the Hockey club would like to congratulate Old Haberdasher David Fernie for being the first former pupil to represent a club in the Men’s National League. He is currently studying at Birmingham University and playing for them in the National League Conference West, one league below the National Premier League.

Biarritz Rugby TourThe tenth rugby tour to South West France enjoyed stunning weather and opportunities for playing, training and activities at our base in Soustons, north of Biarritz. Their matches versus Bayonne College and a St Joseph’s College XV were great tests. They learnt some lessons in handling and running in a defeat that galvanised the boys for their next game, a victory over St Joseph’s. Other highlights were the glorious day on the Atlantic surf beach, visiting Biarritz Olympique for the match and meeting Jerome Thion, legendary second row and once captain of France.

Swimming Relay championshipsOn Friday 11th October eight boys from Year 7-11 competed in the Division 10 Relay Championships at Woodside Leisure Centre. This prestigious competition includes schools from Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and North London. Both teams performed well and the juniors enjoyed particular success. While they narrowly missed out on a medal in the freestyle relay they won their heat comfortably in the medley relay. After all the results were in, the team of Felix Cheng (8C), Thomas Cheng (8H), Daniel McCabe (9H) and Jeffrey Tooze (9J) were declared Divisional Champions.

of France.

Swimming Relay championships

the goals but the manner of the performance,