IN THIS ISSUE:Headmaster’s Foreword 2Oxbridge Success 3Achievements 4Sustainable Stem 5 Debating Successes 6Michael Owen Visit 7Space for All update 8World Challenge & DofE 9Hockey update 10Year 7 Pantomime trip 11Saturday Masterclasses 12Skinners’ Memorabilia 13Charities Committee 14Young Carers meetings 15Dates Ahead 16Club 2000 winners 17

Newsletter – Term 3 2011

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Judges visited the school back in November to check that what they had filmed was actually there (see last Newsletter!) and obviously came away impressed with the boys and their efforts. We had a slight problem with copyright issues regarding the soundtrack, but fellow year 10 pupil Carl Thomas came to the rescue and composed his own music to accompany the film.

The boys now get to attend a prize-giving at the Big Bang Fair in London in March, although the real prize is an all expenses paid trip for the STEM Ambassador team to Sheffield University in July. Sheffield University are at the forefront of solar panel technology and have offered to show us around their labs and see the latest developments which they call Project Shine. It should be a great trip for the lucky boys and staff who accompany them!

Well done to all concerned. A copy of the film can be seen by following the link in our STEM webpage(shown above right).

SPORTS HALL

APPEAL UPDATE….

BREAKING NEWS

SEE PAGE 8

SKINNERS’ WIN NATIONAL COMPETITION!

http://www.skinners-school.co.uk/?page=page&function=science%20specialism

Y10 pupils Ben Breathwick, Tom Cloke and Sam Ineson were delighted to hear recently that they had won a national STEM competition for their short film summarising the work at Skinners’ in this area.

Headmaster’s

Foreword

This newsletter - fully 17 pages long and packed with all the latest successes the Skinners’ boys have achieved – is a testament to the energy, passion and talent that our pupils and staff bring to their life and work. It seems that in every area, whether it is pushing ourselves to the boundaries of science or up the slopes of a mountain, whether we are competing on the sports field or the debating chamber, whether we are helping those less fortunate with charitable events or helping other schools with our expertise, Skinners’ is setting the pace and finding the laurels. It really is quite dizzying trying to keep up with all that the pupils are achieving.

All of that joy – expressed in the open smiles of the pupils in these pages – is tempered by the sad loss of Ben McGrath. Ben exemplified all that is best about our school and the shock of his loss was felt keenly by pupils and staff. Skinners’ School is proud to have been a part of his short life.

But with all this joy and sorrow, I must not conclude without acknowledging an amazing moment in the life of the school - with your help, we are almost ready to start to build the long-awaited Sports Hall. We have already waited too long for the sports facilities that the boys deserve. We are in the final stretch now – looking for those crucially important last few pledges that will allow us to start work in July. If you meant to get around to it and haven’t yet done so, this is the time. After more than 30 years of waiting it really is going to happen – so please get behind the project and make a pledge. You can do so through the school website if you wish.

http://www.skinners-school.co.uk/spaceforall/?page=make_a_pledge

Mr S J Everson

Ben McGrath

1990 - 2011

The school was truly saddened to hear of the tragic death of former student Ben McGrath. Ben was a final year student at the Royal Agricultural College and was an outstanding young man in every way. He will be greatly missed by us all and our thoughts are with his family and friends. The loss of such a young life reminds us all how precious every day should be. 2

In perhaps the most competitive year ever, we are particularly pleased to announce 9 students are now holding an Oxbridge offer for September 2011. Almost every student in the present Upper Sixth is now also in receipt of an offer from their chosen course and university. We hope all of their hard work is rewarded with great success in August.

Back row: Peter Shotton, Land Economy, Gonville and Caius, Cambridge Middle row left to right: Tom Mills, Materials Science, Corpus Christi, Oxford. Vincent Scully, Law, Fitzwilliam , Cambridge. Jacob Wright, Geography, Gonville and Caius, Cambridge. Matthew Bassett, Modern and Medieval Languages, Magadalene, Cambridge. Front Row left to right: Joseph Bluck, Chemistry, Exeter, Oxford. Joseph Severs, Medicine, Wadham, Oxford. Jack Barker, Geography, St Edmund Hall, Oxford.(Missing from photograph; Benjamin Clayton, PPS, Emmanuel, Cambridge.)

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TOM

GLADSTONE

LUKE

EDWARDS

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On a cold, wet and windy morning (our boys are tough!) a group of volunteers spent the day at Oakley installing deer fences and planting trees to replace the ones eaten by Oakley wildlife since we planted them last year.

It was hard physical work pulling out the old posts, digging holes for the new ones, and finally tacking 200 metres of wire fencing into place – then there was the ‘Mypex’ to lay down, saplings to dig in and mulching to transport.

Our boys worked as hard as any I have seen and the last bit of rabbit and deer proof fencing was finally installed just as it was getting dark!

My thanks go to the gang of Y10 boys, and to James Reed (Y8) and Luke Edwards (Y12) for helping out so well.

Mark MoodyHead of STEM

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Skinners’ applied for, and received, a grant to buy 60 solar cars. The cars will be given to local secondary schools in the area, so that they can, as we already do, visit their local primary schools and teach KS2pupils about this sustainable technology.

So far we have trained up 6 schools: Bennett Memorial, Cranbrook School, TWGGS, Boys’ Grammar, Judd and TGS, each of whom received 10 cars each, and have pledged to deliver lessons to their primary partners before Easter.

The twilight training took place after school and was well attended by over 25 staff and pupils, all of them eager to learn how to assemble, test and run these superb little models. We were fortunate also to have David Garlovsky, the inventor of these cars, visit us from Sheffield to run part of the workshop.

This has been a hugely busy term for our debating teams. On January 15th, two teams went to SOAS, University of London: Callum Luckett, Calhan Mundy, James Tribe and Billy Wildi. The Year 10s, Calhan and Callum, acquitted themselves well– no one realised they were absolutely new to debating. They now have a break in debating until BP training begins again in mid March with outgoing Captain Joe and incoming Captain James.

We took part in the first round for Cambridge Union, in which Joe Strong and Chris Lascelles triumphed. Billy and James only just missed going through and were highly commended by their judge, who also commented that he had to put through teams in other areas that weren’t nearly as good as them! Unfortunately, the vagaries of Cambridge’s judging system triumphed again in the second rounds, so that despite a wonderful performance, we did not make it through to Finals.

Two teams through to the Finals!We approached Oxford Union with some trepidation as (apart from the horrors of trying to navigate in Brighton) this is often a huge round (forty plus teams) and the South East region produces some very fine debaters. Our worries were unfounded though and, for the first time ever, Skinners’ has TWO teams in the Oxford Finals. Finals Day is on Saturday 12 March at the University. Congratulations go to Joe and Chris, and James and Billy for such a sterling performance!

New recruits to debatingHouse Debating training has taken place on several occasions this term for year 9 students. VI Formers and Year 11s presented the idea of debating in their assembly and clearly didn’t manage to put them off. All the VI Form DebSoc have been involved in training and coaching more willing volunteers than we have places for. If the turnout for training is anything to go by, Year 9 will produce some of the best debaters yet. The House Competition will take place on Wednesday 9 March on the motion ‘This House would ban all violent computer games’ – a subject dear to Year 9 hearts.

Year 11 debaters (Oli Baines, James Beeson, Dom Dark and Anthony Asindi) went to Bristol University on 12th Feb to represent us at the competition there. It was a tough day and saw our teams facing their arch debating rivals from TWGGS in all their debates. The speaker points show how close the competition really was, with our speakers (marked out of 100) only six points behind the leaders. The day was a good experience for the boys.

Senior DebSoc continues on Friday lunchtimes in E1. We close the term on a more frivolous note –‘This House would use Ninjas’.

D HalifaxDebate Coach 6

Michael Owen, the Wales, British & Irish Lions player visited the school in February. He spent the morning with the U14 squad, coaching them on a range of skills from ball handling to defensive play. As the Welsh U18 and Hertford RFC coach, his ability to get the most from young players was evident and there were certainly some tired legs by the end of the session.

After a quick trip back to school, it was time for a question and answer session in the School Hall. Michael’s openness and candid responses quickly established a rapport with pupils and staff alike, encouraging a range of questions from how much could he bench press, through to the highs and lows of his career. There was even a view of the troublesome knee that forced him into early retirement!

Then it was swiftly back to Southfields and time to put the senior squad through their paces. Another energetic session - this time seeing Michael having greater interaction with the play and players alike. It was clearly evident that he hadn’t lost his touch.

The day was a great success and special thanks must go to Ian Beach, the Managing Director of Ridgecrest Cleaning, who made this fantastic day possible. Fingers crossed we will have the opportunity to welcome Michael back for some pre-season training in September.

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Despite the long Christmas break and the even longer

wait to January payday, things have continued to

move apace with the Appeal. As we reach the Half

Term break we are almost in a position to confirm the

excellent news that we hope to start building work in

July. However, that old adage ‘don’t count your

chickens’ springs to mind. We are reliant on promises

made so far and we are still a little way off the final

sum. It all depends upon maintaining and building

upon the progress made so far.

Race to meet July 2012 Target

Needless to say, I have entered into 2011 with some

optimism. To date parents have pledged £230K. With

gift aid applied at the lower tax rate, this brings us to

£287,500. Allowing for some higher rate tax payers,

we’re probably well over the £300K mark. It’s a

fantastic achievement in a few short months, but will

still need more pledges if we are to meet our July 2012

target.

We’ve recently launched an inter-House competition,

calling upon the entrepreneurial skills of all the boys

to help raise funds for the appeal. In addition to selling

merchandise, they are coming up with all kinds of

ideas to raise money (under the guidance of their

House Captains and Head of Houses). With a non-

uniform day and first in the lunch queue for the House

that raises the most money, there is definitely a

competitive spirit in the air!

Throughout January we have continued to work with

our architects to further refine and develop the

internal layout of the Sports Hall. We have decided to

remove the upstairs corridor to create a larger fitness

centre and dance studio, whilst still retaining that all

important classroom space. The proposed layout

will provide the boys with a spectacular resource.

Thanks again for all your support – please get in

touch if you would like more information about the

appeal. The website also carries regular updates and

offers the facility to make your pledge online.

http://www.skinners-

school.co.uk/spaceforall/?page=the_project

STOP PRESS……………………….Only £400K to raise to reach our target!

I am delighted to announce that we have been awarded a £1 million grant towards the provision of a new Sports Hall. We are grateful for Kent County Council’s generosity and assistance in helping us to address the current inadequate indoor sports facilities at the school and their recognition that PE forms a crucial element of a balanced curriculum.

With this grant and the additional funds raised by the school, we anticipate starting building work in July, with the new Sports Hall opening in July 2012. Predictably, the project is going to cost more than our original estimates and we find ourselves with £400k to find. Please support us in anyway that you can.

Camilla NicholsDevelopment Manager

Chile 2011 The Skinners’ Team travelling to Chile in July had planned a busy December, with a Quiz Night on December 3rd, and training in Buxton in the first weekend of the holiday.

As the team arranged ‘bag packing’ in Marks & Spencer, the training weekend was switched to December 10th. It meant we missed the PA Christmas Fair, but we also missed sitting in the minibus for hours on the highways and byways to the Peak District, admiring the depth of the snow! The same weather prevented some of the team travelling to M&S, where customer numbers were also down. In spite of this, the boys raised over £1,750 – a fraction of how much they need to raise in total (£4,000 each), but paying for the trip is a bit like eating the proverbial elephant: don’t think about the size of ‘it’, just focus on the next mouthful.

The training weekend eventually took place in mid-December in Epping Forest – the only relatively snow-free weekend of the month. There was some snow on the ground, a heavy frost overnight, but we were told to expect worse in the altiplano of the Atacama in Chile.However, there is a significant difference - as soon as the sun comes up in the altiplano we can expect temperatures to soar.

The Quiz Night was snowed off, with the school closed and travel very difficult. It was rescheduled for February 11, and about 200 people enjoyed a great evening with Thai green curry served up by the boys, and a quiz that was finally decided by a tie breaker question. Many thanks are due to the parents for their help with the cooking and raffle prizes, Mr and Mrs Willy for running the kitchen, and Mr Fleming and Benj Martin for their work as quizmasters – as well of course to everyone who came and supported us with their presence and their money.

FUTURE FUNDRAISING EVENTSThe boys are now planning other events. They have met with their expedition leader, Tom Shooter, for the first time, and with new enthusiasm they will be planning more fund raising events in the near future. Watch this space for information.

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DofE is moving forward with training

for practice walks and practice expeditions from April onwards. Over the past few years some of the parents of boys following the Award (and even one or two of those who were not) have been brilliant in their support, by manning checkpoints on these occasions. If you are able to support the activities of the unit in this way please contact Mr Burton at school , who would be very glad to hear from you.

The walks have been on a Friday in the past, but with the changing pattern of assessment it may be necessary to switch to weekends.

The training includes topics such as First Aid, as well as camping skills and navigation, which are covered after school on Monday nights. If anyone is able to offer specialist knowledge in such skills their help would, again, be greatly appreciated.

John Burton

STOP PRESS NEWS…………….

The President of Chile, Sebastian Piñera, visited Skinners’ Hall for a trade fair after the miners were rescued. We expect to meet him again in Santiago at the start of our trip – although of course that could change because of ‘events’, as a past Prime Minister put it.

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Skinners’ 1st XI take on Sackville at Hawkenbury. An ever improving side battled it out with Sackville in February and were unlucky not to come away with a win. The 1st XI are working hard and will look to

build on this in term four.

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On the first day back after Christmas, a group of year seven and eight boys from Skinners’ enjoyed a

trip to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This was performed at the Royal Victoria Theatre , Southborough. We were lucky to have Mr. Johnson, Mr. Flower, Ms Smith, Miss Moss-Montoya and Miss Gaskell accompanying us.

Armed with bags of sweets, we entered the theatre and took our seats. The lights dimmed and the show started…... There were only a few ‘shout outs’ from the audience until Muddles, Snow White’s

best friend, mentioned Skinners’ and all the boys erupted into the biggest cheer of the night!

The show contained all the usual pantomime gimmicks such as “Don’t pull the rope!”, “It`s behind you!” and “Oh no there wasn’t”, followed by “Oh yes there was!” There were also plenty of funny new jokes, like when the evil queen smacked Muddles and shouted: “Take that!” And, all of a sudden, the Take That classic: “Someone Else’s Dream” came bellowing through the speakers!

Another funny line was when Muddles got his banana stolen by a snake and said, “Oi, someone’s nicked me nana!” Only for the dame to say, “You can’t say nicked - there are people from the

Skinners’ School here.”

Of course, the show ended with the old favourite “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” , a grand finale dance and a happy ending for everyone except for the wicked queen.

Well done to the cast and thanks to the teachers who gave up their time to take us.

Dylan Wells7 Atwell

Thursday 6th January, 2011

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For the second year Building Bridges and Skinners’ ran Saturday morning masterclasses. This year the programme was more varied and ambitious than before with over one hundred students from four secondary schools , and some parents and staff, taking part in activities that included:

Cooking (Miss Moss-Montoya)Air Navigation (Mr Dedman),Earth Story (Mr Lennon)Rocket Building (Mr Walters)Structural Engineering (Mr Hubbard),Geo-Caching (Mr Moody),Advanced Photography the return of Mr Os) and even Spanish for beginners (Mrs Wickham)

Yet again the courses were a great success. Geo-caching proved to be particularly interesting for two dads who are now hooked on hunting for ‘treasure’ when walking in the countryside. Our thanks go to all the staff and helpers for their time and expertise in running the courses.

An addition this year was the cooking course. This was delivered by chefs from Wagamama, The Tunbridge Wells Bar and Grill and Hotel du Vin. The skills of these professionals, together with the wonderful ingredients they brought along, made this course a real treat. We look forward to developing the links we have established with these restaurants in the future.

Roger BeeDirector of Studies

The School holds an interesting collection of memorabilia. We have photographs of the staff, students and the school building - some pictures date from as early as 1910 . We also still hold some original pupil registers and staff information from the 1930s. In future editions of the newsletter we will feature further items from the archive to give an insight into the rich history of the school. If you have any information that may be of interest, please contact the school: enquiries@skinners-school.org.uk.

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At Skinners’, boys of all ages are encouraged to support charities and take pride in the work they do for them. In the Sixth Form, a committee is formed annually to carry out fundraising events for their chosen charities.

Read International and Build Africa

In 2010, we decided to support Read International and Build Africa. Read International provides books to children in countries where learning materials are not readily available. They focus on obtaining textbooks for Key Stage 3, GCSE and A-level. We chose this charity as it provides other students less fortunate than us the opportunity of obtaining the quality of education we receive at Skinners’. Build Africa works exclusively in rural areas of Uganda and Kenya to help young people escape poverty through education and income generation. The money we raised this year will go towards the ‘Build a School’ programme, to provide new buildings and desks. We were very impressed with how professional the charity is and we really feel that the money we have donated has been greatly appreciated.

The achievements of our committee this year have been many and I am extremely grateful for all the help and support they have shown me as chairman. One of our first ideas was to have a Wacky Tie Day, in which the boys could wear a different tie in return for the donation of a DVD. We then sold these DVDs back to the student body and raised over £300; some referred to it as an environmentally friendly way of raising money for charity. We have also taken part in sponsored events and the infamous Stars in Their Eyes at TWGGS.

Total sum raised - over £6,300

In total this year we raised a staggering £3,500 (give or take a few pounds) for Build Africa, as

well as £2,834.19 for Cancer Research, Third World Hope, Ripple Africa and Help for Heroes .

Help for Heroes

There are many ex- Skinners’ boys who have fought, or are fighting in wars past and present. Many thanks to all those who donated towards this very worthwhile charity this year.

New chairman appointed

In February 2011 I handed over the chairmanship to Andy Wilson in the Lower Sixth form.

The committee were very much thrown in the deep end this year, with Skinners’ Got Talent taking place just a few weeks after the new committee was formed.

I wish Andy and his team all the best and am sure they will carry on this very important work for the school with great success.

Matt BassiChairman of the Skinners’ School Charities

Committee 2010

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ARE YOU A YOUNG CARER?

This term drop in’s will be on: TUEsdays

march 8th

april 5th

may 3rd

june 7th

july 5th

Any Young Carers are welcome to join us on the above dates

during lunch hour 12.35 – 1.30

IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM

if in any doubt please ask at reception

A CHANCE TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS WHO ARE ALSO YOUNG CARERS, to gain support and discuss any concerns and to have some

fun.

COME ON JOIN US, YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO

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SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS

DATES AHEAD………February 201128th Term 4 Starts

March 20111st Yr 11 Maths GCSE retakes unit 2/8 and 2/101st Oxford University materials Science Dept visit to school.2nd GCSE & A level Music recital – Thomson Theatre 7.30pm3rd Year 10 Parents’ Evening 5 – 8pm4th CCF Weekend exercise to Folkestone – returns on 6th March8th Year 13 English Trip (Pardoner Lectures)8th Governing Body Meeting at Skinners’ Hall9th Junior Team Maths Challenge9th Year 9 House debating competition10th Year 9 Parents & GCSE Options Evening 5 – 8pm10th January AS/A2 restults10th Frank Mason 1st XI Hockey tournament11th Firminger U15 Hockey tournament14th GCSE Yr 11 language orals14th PA Committee Meeting 7pm at school14th Theatre Studies trip to ‘Frankenstein’ @ The National15th GCSE Yr 11 language orals15th Year 13 English trip ‘Dr Faustus’.17th Intermediate Maths Challenge follow on round17th Non-uniform day (Red Nose day)21st Yr 11 GCSE MFL orals (21-23 & 31 March)21st Yr 12 English Conference22nd Yr 12 Parents’ Evening – 5 – 8pm23rd Year 9 Science in Action trip25th CCF Field Day at Pippingford Park25th Year 11 Reports issued25th Oxbridge Conference @ the Emirates Stadium25th PA Quiz Night in Dining Hall – 7.30pm26th & 27th School Drama preparation in Thomson Theatre28th AS Drama Practical Exam Week29th AS Theatre Studies practical exam – Thomson Theatre 7pm30th DCSF Inside Knowledge Event31st Yr 11 GCSE MFL Orals

April 20111st Deadline for GCSE Options (Year 9)1st Progress reports for years 7 and 8 issued2nd & 3rd School Drama preparation in Thomson Theatre4th Yr 12 Geography Field Trip to Devon (returning on 8th April)5th A2 Drama practical exam in Thomson Theatre 7pm7th Joint Music Concert – St John’s Church 7.30pm8th CCF Adventurous Training trip to Dartmoor (returning on 15th April)

8th Year 13 reports issued. Term 4 Ends. 16

Winners of Club 2000 Lottery for January

876 entries shared a prize fund of £438

1st - Mr Roger Fitzwater £250.002nd - Mrs Anna Midcalf £100.003rd - Mr Mark Lynam £ 50.00

If you would like to have the opportunity to be winner, join Club 2000 email denise.tourle@skinners-school.org.uk

Feedback on the newsletter is always welcome. Do let us know what you think. Please feel free to email any comments or suggestions to: yourvoice@skinners-school.org.uk

For a printer friendly version of this newsletter – click here.Susan Phyall

Assistant Headteacher

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