Saint Olave’s Grammar School
London 1571
Headmaster: Aydın Önaç B. Mus., B. Sc., ARCM, FRSA
4th March 2016
Dear Parents/Carers, Students, Governors, Old Olavians and Grandparents
Headmaster’s Newsletter 186
May I start with a reminder to all Year 12 parents to please make sure you attend the meeting about
school finances on Monday at 7.00 pm in the Chapel. It will be short but vitally important for your son
or daughter’s education here at St Olave’s.
It was a pleasure to attend St James’s Palace
for the presentation of Gold Duke of
Edinburgh’s Awards, where, not for the first
time, St Olave’s was the largest cohort from
a single London school. The Duke himself
exchanged a few words with some of our
students before special guest and TV
personality, Nick Knowles, gave an
entertaining
address.
Well-deserved
congratulations to former students: Timothy
Adelani, Samuel Bentley, Elizabeth Bingham,
Esme Choudhury, Clark Hailston and Zubair
Hassan on completing their Gold Awards.
Once again our Year 11 top set achieved 30 A* grades in their January Edexcel Certificate in Maths!
Congratulations to all of them and to their teacher, Ms Polly Vasileva.
Shayne Beegadhur
Leo Bennett
John Bentas
Samuel Bullen
Toby Clarke
Ted Cranston
Cristiano Da Cruz
Sean Gebbett
Jack Gillings
Alec Hong
Veyasan Karnan
James King
Anushan Kirupakaran
Ammar Kisat
Zeeshan Kisat
Ishaan Lal
Eugene Lee
Nicholas Leigh
Daniel Maghsoudi
Henry Miller
Ishaan Oza
Boyan Popov
Hasan Rahij
Gowrish Rajarajan
Christopher Rajendram
James Tang
James Tate
William To
Sohayl Ujoodia
Ken Yanagida
Goddington Lane
Orpington
Kent BR6 9SH
St. Olave’s and St. Saviour’s Schools Foundation
Tel: 01689 820101
[email protected] www.saintolaves.net
And still more congratulations to the following
students who were successful in the British Biology
Olympiad. Gold medals: Daniel Jenkins; Thomas
Miller; Tom Wang; Silver medals: Marek Podajny;
Suzanne Smith; Daniela Moura Santos; Iham
Mohamed Kasem; Bronze medals: Kate Lobo;
Habeeb Muhammad-Kamal; Tiffany Ndukwe and
Highly Commended: Anna Fatunla; George
Waldron.
Where’s Wally costumes, dropped trousers, and a
nod to modern Chinese art were all part of Twelfth
Night at The Globe this week. It was a great
experience for Year 7, as the small cast brought the
action to life with music, dance and plenty of
slapstick. The feisty heroine, Olivia, controlled the
plot. Her costume transformed from black
mourning to alluring siren and finally frilly bridal
gown as she bagged Sebastian. The separated
twins were presented as the Where’s Wally
characters, dressed in beanie hats, check trousers
and bomber jackets. Chaos accompanied their
journey with the Lord of Misrule taking over to trap
Malvolio into foolishness. The audience roared as
he ripped off his trousers to reveal lederhosen,
long yellow stockings and red cross-garters. The
band wore white and Feste played a white piano he
used to hide behind while they trapped Malvolio.
Oversized comedy swords and axes cleverly conveyed Cesario’s inexperience and reluctance to fight.
The mood temporarily darkened with a shipping container for Malvolio’s cell. It was strongly
reminiscent of the prison diorama created by Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, and recently exhibited at the
Royal Academy. The boys came away elated and keen Shakespeare enthusiasts. This is the fifth year
running we have taken Year 7 in early spring to an outdoor production at The Globe and it was clear
the majority would be eager to go again. They behaved impeccably and were a credit to the school.
Three Sixth Form teams travelled to Chelsea
Football Club to compete in the Land Rover 4x4
In Schools Regional Competition. Throughout
the day they took part in a number of
assessments including a pit display, verbal
presentation, engineering scrutiny, trailer test
and the eagerly awaited obstacle track. Team
Kanga have developed their car considerably
from last year, manufacturing almost all new
parts to create an impressive vehicle for the
competition. Congratulations to Team Vector
who won the Rookie category, Team Gecko who
won the Judges Award and Team Kanga who
won Best Engineered Vehicle and 1st Place in the competition. Good luck to both Teams Vector and
Kanga who have earned themselves a place at the National Final in April.
May I politely request that parents do not use the Sixth Form parking entrance for drop off or pick up
at the start and end of the school day. Because of the narrowness of the lane, this is causing back up
traffic problems and creating health and safety issues.
Modern Foreign Languages have been busy again. On Monday, they finished the film La Haine
(Hatred), in French, with English sub-titles. On Thursday, Esther Gordon gave a fascinating talk on
Coptic: How Christianity has preserved an Egyptian language in MFL Society. Students learned about
the Hinamatsuri Festival celebration and made their own Hinamatsuri display in Japan Club.
For my round up of weekly Clubs, Societies and other activities:
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Law Society discussed: My genes made me do it: genes, insanity and criminal law.
Adam Russell, Thomas Storer and Jack Hurley presented Starn countries to Geographical
Society.
Nicole Morgan addressed Physics and Engineering Society on: Studying Physics at university.
A meeting took place for those interested in the Antigua Cricket tour.
Junior Debating Society discussed the motion: This house would ban private education.
Current Affairs Club discussed BREXIT.
Classics Society considered: The Fall of the Roman Republic.
Deniz Ali presented to Political Economy Society on: The rise of Trump and his threat to global
prosperity.
Natural Sciences Society heard Lucy Thompson speak on: How do I remember?
Chamber Choir rehearsed for the Easter Concert.
Articles were invited for the History Journal.
Tom Wang gave a talk to Maths Society.
The Senior Basketball team started their season with a 56-16 win over
Townley Grammar. There were many highlights to the win with some
good team play and some outstanding individual performances.
Congratulations to all involved and we look forward to the next game
against The Judd.
It was good to receive the very first edition of the Human Rights Society Journal with articles from:
Temitope Adebowale
Amro Fadel
Anna Begley
Subashini Nathan
Adam Simmers
Suzanne Smith
Tom Wang
Jeevan Ravindran
Vina Saleh
The Power Vacuum in Haiti
The Syrian Refugee Crisis
Sharia Law and Human Rights
Home and Politics
The Fight for LGBT Rights
Black Lives Matter
Haikus for Human Rights
Women of the World
To A Poppy
Higher Education Evening gave Year 12s a first opportunity to find out more about the challenges of
student life as they prepare for the UCAS process later in the year. Visiting speakers from Sheffield
and Birmingham universities gave presentations on a range of relevant areas including: "Why go to
university", "Which university should I go to?" and "What course should I choose?" as well as details
on key aspects of student finance. Captain of School, Daniel Jenkins, gave his own insightful talk on
how to tackle the Personal Statement.
The PA Mock Tests are continuing to fill up nicely with around half the places now booked. Please
continue to support the school, through the PA, by publicising this opportunity to your colleagues,
friends and family. There seems to be an assumption that the Mock Tests are only for boys when, in
fact, they will be just as useful for girls preparing for selective entry to other schools. It you can spread
this message around that would be most helpful.
Calling all parents or Old Olavians! The Parents’ Association would really appreciate your support in
donating auction/raffle prizes for the PA Masquerade Ball. They are hoping that there is someone out
there who might offer one big auction prize, such as the loan of a holiday home for a week that could
raise a huge amount of money on the night!
May I conclude with a reminder that next week is Drama Week with a range of exciting activities taking
place every day. In particular we would like to invite you to the whole school plays on Thursday and
Friday, 10th/11th, to enjoy Holes and a medley of Roald Dahl stories 7.00pm, Great Hall.
Yours sincerely
Headmaster