King’s Hall School
Prep Newsletter
Edition 85
6th May 2016
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HEADlines
This week I was at the Boarding Schools’ Association annual Heads’ conference. There are usually
some terrific speakers and a chance to visit somewhere different and this year was no exception!
Ben Fogle spoke about how it was his boarding experience that transformed him from ‘a shy boy
who would hide behind Daddy’s legs’ to the man who has achieved all he has. Frank Gardner, BBC
Security Correspondent, was fascinating and wonderfully understated about his experiences, based
largely in Arabic speaking countries, including his being shot and recovering both physically and
mentally from that despite it leaving him wheelchair-bound: certainly a man whose glass is at least
half full and just one example would be the fact he is President of the Ski Club of Great Britain.
This year we were in Manchester and the major dinner was held in the Lowry Gallery with views
across ‘Coronation Street’ and ‘The Theatre of Dreams’. My ignorance of Lowry means I possess a
‘matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs’ insularity about his paintings but there was a great
deal of other work that was impressive, including the particularly entrancing ‘The Sea’ from 1963.
Another major benefit of this cross-association gathering is that it is always good to catch up with
Heads from senior schools and compare notes to ensure we are all moving in a similar direction:
thankfully observations would suggest we seem to be doing a lot of things pretty well on the
boarding front at present.
Whilst I was next to Old Trafford on Wednesday, things were happening at Anfield, of course, and if
anybody has tickets to Basel on 18 May I know at least one Deputy Head who might be interested!!
Justin Chippendale
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Exmoor Challenge 2016
This year saw the perfect weather conditions for the 16 mile course, a crisp cool morning for the first long uphill
leg and onward to Tarr Steps. The four groups representing King’s Hall were excited as they waited to be called
for their start times. First off were the two mixed teams, followed by the all-girls group and finally the all-boys
group as sweepers, team 111 in the running order.
All four teams had completed the route by 4.45pm, tired legs, sore feet but elated. The scores in the overall
competition are as follows: The boys team (Will, Tommy, George and Cameron) came 11= in their pool; the
girls (Lottie, Jemima, Maggie and Jenna) came 14th in their pool; and in the mixed teams, King’s Hall 1 (Will,
Andrew, Cordie and Eve) came 12th whilst King’s Hall 2 (Lizzie, Lucy, Russell and Max) came 2nd. A great set of
results!
My thanks to Mrs HaydenBriffett
who
helped
throughout the training
and on the event, to all the
children who were great
sports, and the parents for
coming along to support.
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Sainsbury’s Active Kids Vouchers
Please be aware that King’s Hall School is collecting
the Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers which help
schools to apply for sporting and cookery
equipment. Sainsbury’s are no longer issuing
vouchers and so would parents who have any to
hand in please bring them to school and hand them
to Mrs McDermott or the Office. Thank you for your
support in this initiative.
A view from the Rose Garden
Even before the registration bell has sounded 3G are busy. Here are just a few examples…
Watering cress seeds for their Science experiment….
Changing books in the library……..
Playing boggle and discovering words that make them laugh!
3G’s poem in the style of Roger McGough:
In case of hunger eat chocolate,
In case of chocolate munch,
In case of munch beware of greed,
In case of greed go to the gym,
In case of gym stretch your muscles,
In case of mussels cook them,
In case of cook relieve hunger,
In case of hunger eat chocolate!
Academic Life...
Maths
Inspired by the work of mathematicians such as Alan Turing during World War 2, in their post scholarship work
8S have been studying the secretive world of codes and code cracking. Estimates vary but it is reckoned that
the breaking of the Enigma Code took anything between 2 and 4 years off the length of WW2. The Enigma
machine had 3 rotors and inside the rotors was a great deal of cross wiring which scrambled up the alphabet.
There were millions and millions of different permutations and the settings were changed every day to further
confuse the Allies. The machine had one flaw however; a letter could never be encoded as itself. This helped
the Allied mathematicians to crack the code.
Codes existed even during the days of Julius Caesar over 2,000 years ago. He, initially, used a straightforward
shift code in which you moved the alphabet maybe one or two places across. Cameron Bennett made a Caesar
Wheel; this has a large outer ring and a mobile inner ring both with the letters of the alphabet going round it.
The inner ring can then be moved round to help crack the code. This message is in code using the Caesar Shift;
can you work out the secret message?
BMDAMK
USWKSJ OSK S JGESF YWWRWJ KIMSKZWV ZAK OAXW AF
S
DWEGF KIMWWRWJ
8S used a variety of methods to crack (and indeed make up) codes. Frequency analysis was a common one and
analysing the likely letters in one and two letter words was also employed.
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Latin
Cursus Honorum – vocab tests
Year 8 parents will be relieved to note that the Latin vocabulary tests, which have been running throughout
the Michaelmas, Spring and Summer terms are now coming to an end!
Hundreds of Latin words had to be learned over two years, in which points accumulated earned pupils
certificates showing they had reached a certain level in the Roman ladder of office, the Cursus Honorum.
Moreover, those who ended up with a total of 320 or more earned the title, IMPERATOR.
In a final test out of 20, pupils have had the chance to become a Roman god or a goddess if
they reached 375 points or more overall. Results will be released shortly, but in the
meantime please congratulate your son or daughter if they report to you that they have
been deified!
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Science in Photograph’s
Year 6 investigate how to reduce resistance using different shapes and slime forces.
This was so much fun!
Year 5 had an exciting trip to Plymouth today where they learnt about all types of Marine Biology.
Year 5 with Mrs Keirle
What are our Aspirations for the future?
Amber is aspiring to be a Make-Up Artist for Pop stars like Little Mix and the rich and famous.
Bel is aspiring to be a World Class Eventer riding top horses.
Hettie is aspiring to be a Professional Violinist.
Peyton is aspiring to either be a Pastry Chef or an Interior Designer.
Sophie would like to be an Eventer like Mary King.
Daniel would like to be an Architect.
Cassius wants to be a Comic Scriptwriter or a Naturalist like David Attenborough.
Jonty wants to be a Professional Rugby Player.
Hector is aspiring to be an English Hockey Player.
Felicity would like to be a Vet.
This week in the Library....
Year 5 and 6 Book Club
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Book Club met on Thursday this week to discuss Roald Dahl’s wonderful story, The BFG, which they had read
during the Easter holidays. Much fun was had by all as we chatted about our favourite parts of the story.
Hettie: “I loved the funny words in the story, like Snozzcumber! It was sad when the BFG is bullied by the
other giants.”
Lexie: “I was happy when the giants were put into the big pit but it was scary when Sophie had to hide from
the Bloodbottler.”
Eleanor: “I love the part when they catch the dreams. The phizzwhizzard was the happy dream and the
trogglehumper was the nightmare.”
Amber: “My favourite parts were when they gave the dream to the Queen and the part when they drink the
frobscottle!”
Alice: “I loved the ending when the Queen helps them and when the giants are thrown into the pit.”
The BFG speaks his own funny language called Gobblefunk. Our favourite Gobblefunk words were:
human bean
snozzcumber
phizzwhizzard
whoopsy-splunkers
Can you guess what they all mean?
whizzpop
We had a go at making up our own Gobblefunk words by thinking of two English words and mixing them
up. We think that the BFG would approve of these Gobblefunk words:
Spanish and geography became spography
scared and trembly became scrembly
chocolate and bubbles became bubblate
glory and architecture became gloritecture
pig and dinosaur became pigasaur
Finally we tried some dream-catching of our own, by describing the dream that we would most like to have.
A quick reminder that on Tuesday 10th May we will be holding our Spring Book Fair.
This is a great opportunity to stock up on reading material for the summer break.
The Book Fair will be open all day from 8.30am until 5.30pm.
Pupils can bring money in on the day and those who buy two books will be able to choose a third book free.
Parents of boarders are very welcome to contact Mrs Marcuccilli in advance
[email protected] to give authorisation for their child to purchase a book and for the
cost to be added to the school bill.
Happy reading!
Out of the classroom...
Sailing
Star Wars day, ‘May the 4th be with you’, was a great day to start off the school sailing season, taking advantage
of that light breeze in the sunshine. So it was off to Durleigh Sailing Club and out with the Pico and Topper
dinghies.
British Fencing Championships 2016
As one of six U12 girls representing the South West, Bryony Griffiths was
fencing in Sheffield last weekend at the British Fencing Championships. A
fabulous result to get to the national finals after fencing for less than a year,
Bryony had a tough first round with the eventual Bronze medallist drawn in
her pool.
Most of her opponents were a year older and had been fencing for a long
time, but she put up a good fight and hopes to be back even stronger in the
same competition next year!
With more competitions this term we look forward to some more success
stories. Well done Bryony!
Regional Hockey Success
Hector Banton and Vincent Yates have this week won the West of England Regional
hockey tournament playing for Taunton Vale, with both boys scoring in the final. They
won all eight matches, scoring 34 goals and conceding just 1 (in the final).
On Sunday a group of King’s Hall girls won the West of England Regional
Hockey Tournament for their club, Taunton Vale. All of the girls played very
well and fully deserved to lift the shield.
This term’s Deputy Head Girl, Jenna Craig
It’s been a great week here at King’s Hall with so much going on. Coming
back on a Tuesday after a long weekend gave everyone a nice few days
to relax before coming back to hard work at school. There were some
well-played tennis and cricket matches on Wednesday, those who
weren’t in matches had fun with outdoor pursuits, athletics or practise
game play! 8S have a great weekend ahead of them as they set off to
London on Friday, staying the night there and coming back on Saturday
evening. I hope everyone has a nice weekend and is ready for the
beginning of week 4 of the Summer Term on Monday!
Sport Action and News...
Cricket
1st XI against Hazlegrove
Batting first King’s made a terrific start with a 1st wicket partnership of 142
scoring at almost 7 runs per over until James Rew was bowled for 47.
George Thomas then continued on to his century and finished unbeaten
on 121. Excellent cameos from Will Hall and Will Scott Munden led to King’s
posting an excellent 212 in only 28 overs.
In reply an outstanding opening spell from Charlie Sharland shut
down the Hazlegrove innings and he was extremely unlucky to be wicketless. At the other
end Will Scott Munden was tearing into our opponents. Will took all the first 5 wickets
and finished with figures of 6 for 14 from 13 overs. Other late wickets from Aman Rao and
Charlie Spurr were not quite enough to seal victory. This game was an excellent advert for
declaration cricket and also a really top performance from King’s Hall against the best
team they have played this year.
3rd XI against Hazlegrove
The first lazy, sunny afternoon of the cricketing calendar seemed to infect our fielding as our
opponents quickly realised that, even a gentle push to short midwicket was an easy run!
189 was a tough target in 25 overs, therefore. However we came out fighting with Max
Banton (42) leading the charge, ably assisted in succession by Matthew Osborne, Tom
Daniel, Aubrey Lindsay-Smith and Liam Walker. We matched their run rate for 12 overs, but
after Max was bowled we rather fell away.
4th XI against Hazlegrove
This was a delightful game of cricket in which both sides played exceptionally well in the traditional manner in
which cricket at this level should be played. Austin Kamsner played a pivotal role in the King's Hall batting line
up, scoring 27 runs and showing great maturity in helping Orion Sheridan (14) and Joe Eakhurst (17) to equally
important scores. King's Hall stuttered a little at the end of the innings but managed to post a score of 112.
Hazlegrove started their innings well and capitalised on a number of wayward balls. Henry Albery balled
especially well and was helped by two good spells from Captain Jago Schmidt, Ethan Jordaan and Cameron
Bennett. Hazlegrove managed to reach the required total with three overs to spare and the King's Hall players
rued the missed scoring opportunities in their innings that could have made the difference. A wonderful
afternoon of Gentleman's cricket.
Colts A against Hazlegrove
King's Hall had first use of a good pitch and some strong hitting from Cassian McLoughlin and Johnnie Lawson
Johnston, aided by a useful cameo from Harry Gresswell, helped us to a par score of 144. Other batsmen rather
gifted their wickets to the opposition. Everyone bowled well, however, and Hazlegrove were never really in the
hunt - 3 run outs not aiding their cause.
U9/8 against Tatworth
The first pairs outing for the Years 3 and 4 was a huge success with all the boys involved bowling and batting
and all showing the skills that we have worked really hard on in games lessons. Bowling first Ciaran McSwiggan,
Harvey Taylor and Andrew Lee all took wickets, although some of the fielding needs a little practise! Batting
however was outstanding! Excellent running between three wickets from Harvey Taylor and Charlie Bolland and
some excellent striking from Thomas Rew and Attius McLoughlin meant King’s scored very highly. A really good
day’s work from all the boys involved.
Rounders
U11/10 against The Downs
This was a mixed team of U11 and U10 girls and was a match played in a lovely spirit. After the first innings we
were well ahead 8 - 5 and some tight fielding in the second innings, combined with some surprising decisions
made by The Downs when batting, meant the win was never in doubt. Considering the girls had never played
as a team before, they gelled well. Lexie Wallace as backstop combined well with Eleanor Renville on 2nd post,
Phoebe Millard and Freya Schmidt both showed useful batting skills, each scoring rounders and Leela Cosens
fielded well. Lily MacNeice also batted well, getting 2 rounders in the first innings but unfortunately was
stumped at 2nd in the second innings. Alice Eakhurst improved as the match went on, learning to throw rather
than run with the ball. Becky Stacey and Bryony Griffiths took turns to bowl and Becky was named batter (with
3 rounders) of the match and Bryony fielder of the match. A very pleasant afternoon out!
U8 against Tatworth
What a close game, with both teams beginning to get the hang of it in the 2nd innings - then the excitement
started! Both teams scored 5.5 in the 2nd innings, but the King's Hall girls managed to secure 2.5 rounders more
in the 1st innings which gained them victory. Well played to Grace Eakhurst, Katie Rowe, Ava Broke-Smith and
Monique Du Toit who all scored whole rounders, with half rounders also being scored by Rose Cartwright and
Eleanor Harding.
Tennis
U13s against Queen’s
Our U13 pairings played very well today having changed partners. It worked out really well with 1st pair Kitty
Chapple and Matti Mercer winning 6-4, 6-0 and 6-0. 2nd pair Maggie Rundell and Sophie Minchin took a while
to settle and lost 2-6 and 1-6, but when playing the deciding set which would give the team an overall win,
they pulled out all the stops to win 6-4 against their own seed. 3rd pair Meabh Macaskie & Lizzie Chetwode
played some lovely tennis - with Lizzie dominating the net at times. They had two 2-6 losses, but beat Queen's
2nd pair 6-1!
U12s against Queen’s
Some super tennis played again today, with our 1st U12 pairing of Tresha Kumar & Kezia Ogle only dropping 3
games out of 15, to win both their sets. Our 2nd pair of Lara Chapple and Sophie Cannons fought hard and had
quite even games but couldn't quite clinch enough winning shots and so lost 2-6 and 4-6. Anna Flatt and Millie
Masters started well with a 6-3 win against Queen's 4th U12 pair, but found their own seeding much harder
and lost 0-6. Cordelia Rees-Davis and Eve Thomas-Everard stepped in as a 4th pair to play a last minute addition
of another U12/13 pair from Queen's - and despite playing some lovely tennis, lost 0-6 and 1-6.
Results round up ...
Cricket
Rounders
Tennis
Wednesday 4th May
v Hazlegrove
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Colts A
Colts B
Colts C
Drew
Lost
Lost
Lost
Won
Lost
Lost
Thursday 5th May
v Tatworth
U9/8
Won
Wednesday 4th May
v The Downs
U11/10B
Won
Thursday 5th May
v Tatworth
U9
U9/8
U8
Won
Lost
Won
Wednesday 4th May
v Queen’s
U13 Girls
U12 Girls
Won
Lost
The Boarders’ World...
How lovely to have a 3 day long weekend but it has completely thrown me
as to what day it is! This week has flown by and everyone seems so happy
and cheerful, with the sun shining the boarders have been outside every
evening enjoying the beautiful grounds. They really are lucky children and
the staff are just as lucky as we enjoy watching your children play and
hearing their laughter while the sun sets in the distance. With the fair
weather looking set to stay with us over the weekend I imagine the BBQ
will make an appearance and possibly the water slides!
Birthday Bonanza in Year 4F
It has been an exciting time for Oscar, Edward and Maya as they each celebrated their 9 th birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Things you didn’t know about ...
Reshma Rao
Henry Lee
Y8 pupil
Y8 pupil
How long have you been at King’s Hall School? Tell us more about your arrival.
rd
This is my 3 week at King’s Hall as I have just joined
I’ve been at King’s Hall School a year and two
terms. I came over from Hong Kong.
for the Summer term. I came from California with my
mum, brother, and sister and am enjoying my time so
far here at King’s Hall.
If you were going to appear in a film, which character would you play and what would be the plot?
The film I would act in would be Mean Girls, and I
If I was to appear in a film I would be Batman and
beat the villains to save the day.
would play the selfish and spoiled Regina George. I
think it would be really fun to play this character
because her personality is the exact opposite of mine.
What do you like doing in your free time?
I love to play football (or as they say in America,
I like playing football, playing video games on the
Xbox and also playing rugby in my free time.
soccer!), swim, read, perform, sing, and do trivia with
my dad.
If you could try out any job for a day, what would you like to try?
I would like to try being a music producer for a day
I would like to be a professional footballer for
Arsenal because I support Arsenal and I think it
because I think this would be a really entertaining and
interesting occupation to have for a day. I love music, would be pretty cool to meet all the other football
stars.
and I think it’s fascinating how music producers are
able to create one song by layering a myriad of
sounds on top of each other.
If you could appear on ‘Mastermind’ what would be your chosen field of knowledge?
I would specialise in music because ever since I was a
My chosen field of knowledge would be Maths as
baby, I have been listening to different types of
this is my best subject at school and I enjoy
music, from 80’s disco to the current pop tunes.
crunching numbers.
Which three people, dead or alive, would you have to a dinner party if you could? Why?
I would invite Taylor Swift because I admire her as a
I would like to dine with Arsene Wenger (Arsenal
singer/songwriter and as a role model; Nelson
manager), Lionel Messi and the Brazilian legend
Mandela because his story is so inspiring, and I would
Pele because they are all football legends and I
love to hear his thoughts; and Alex Morgan because
look up to them.
she is my favourite football player and I look up to her
work ethic.
What is your favourite possession? Why?
My family is my favourite item of possession because
My favourite item of possession is my phone
because it is very important, without it I wouldn’t
they will always occupy a special place in my heart.
be able to contact my friends and wouldn’t be able
to call to my family in Hong Kong.
If you could, what single message would you send to an alien species?
“What do you think of humans?”
I would ask them what their interests are and if
they like playing football.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
I would go to South Africa because it looks like a
If I could go to anywhere in the world I would go to
America because it is a beautiful country and there
beautiful place and is filled with tons of history.
are lots and lots of theme parks.
What was the last photograph that you took?
My last picture is one of a sunset.
The last photograph that I took was my new
football boots. They are Adidas Primeknit and are
worn by the likes of Paul Pogba who plays for
Juventus and France.
What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?
I would love to go bungee jumping, but it would
I would like to do skydiving because I am sure it
probably be when I’m much older because I’m afraid
would be incredibly exciting.
of heights.
Would you rather travel back in time or into the future? Why?
I would travel into the future because if I travelled
I would rather travel back in time than travel into
back in time, I would most likely mess something up the future because if I travelled back in time I could
correct all my previous mistakes.
(seeing how clumsy I am) that would affect me in the
present or in the future.
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