The Voice of Sutton Valence School
Edition 38 February 2008
SUTTON VIEWS New Preparatory School Head M r Craig Gibbs joined us at the beginning of the Lent Term in January as the Head of Sutton Valence Preparatory School. Craig was brought up in South Africa and studied at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. He came to Britain with his wife Susan in 1987 when he became a history teacher and then a senior master at Solefield Preparatory School near Sevenoaks. This was followed by posts as Deputy Headmaster at Edge Grove School, north London, and the Dragon School, Oxford, where he was Head of the Upper School.
achieved an ‘outstanding’ grading in the most recent OFSTED report. Mr Gibbs and his wife spend most of their holidays either in Bath, where they have a home or in Cape Town. He enjoys reading, surfing, skiing, playing rugby and travelling. Mr Gibbs is already enjoying his time here and has implemented a number of new initiatives including our Celebration Assemblies for the whole school and parents, along with form books which track the pupils on a daily basis and are commented on at the end of the day.
In 2004, he was appointed Head of Spring Grove School, a co-educational preparatory school at Wye, near Ashford. Over the past three years, Spring Grove has almost tripled pupil numbers to 230, and
Mr Gibbs says, “I am enjoying working with the team at Sutton Valence, which has a philosophy I very much share – to build a community between parents, staff and pupils, and to identify talent and nurture it through academic, sporting and social development.”
‘Movember’
‘Grease’
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School Contacts: School Secretary
01622 845200
Admissions Office
01622 845206
Head of Year 1
01622 845242
Head of Year 2
01622 845226
Head of Year 3
01622 845216
Head of Year 4
01622 845234
Head of Year 5
01622 845233
Director Sixth Form
01622 845231
Director of Studies
01622 845225
Bursar’s Office
01622 845204
St Margaret’s House
01622 845219
Kingdon House
01622 843459
Westminster House
01622 845222
Sutton House
01622 845228
Sutton Valence Preparatory School
01622 842117
Chaplain
01622 842814
Celebration Assembly
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Information A member of the United Westminster Schools’ Foundation Registered Charity No. 309267 Founded in 1576 by William Lambe
Sutton Views: February 2008
For information about Sutton Valence School or to request a prospectus, please contact:
• the Admissions Office at Sutton Valence on 01622 845206 or email enquiries@svs.org.uk • Sutton Valence Preparatory School on 01622 842117 or email enquiries@svprep.svs.org.uk 1
Sutton Valence School
‘Movember’
hirteen staff at Sutton Valence heroically grew moustaches for the month of November in aid of charity; risking rude comments and divorces. ‘Movember’ (Grow a Mo in
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November) is an Australian invention which has been imported by the Gappies and Australian staff. It seemed strange at first, but it grows on you! A wonderful £708 was raised and this
CCF News hen posed the question, “Why do you want to join the RAF?” most cadets answer, “Because I want to be a pilot”. The reality is that pilots constitute a very small proportion of the RAF and the selection process is tough. Thus it is a great testament to Nick Erander’s determination and enthusiasm that he is one step closer to realising a dream.
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Since joining the section in the 3rd Form, Nick made clear his ambitions. But unlike some, Nick has done all he can to realise his dream by participating in as many RAF activities and courses as possible. Last term he proved to be one of the top RAF cadets in the UK when he was awarded the Commandant’s Commendation for Outstanding Service. Now his determination and dedication has been rewarded with a prestigious Flying Scholarship. What does this mean? Nick will receive flying tuition, funded by the RAF; sufficient to raise his proficiency to a standard whereby he can fly solo. This would normally cost thousands of pounds and take a long time to achieve. Nick has also been chosen to attend an officer selection weekend at RAF Cranwell in April and we wish him every success. Nick’s career in the RAF section at SVS exemplifies the expression – the more you put in, the more you get out. Well done, Nick!
will go to the Kent Air Ambulance: it was worth it after all. Geoff Piper l
Head of School his term’s Head of School, Jocelyn Bell came to Sutton Valence from South Africa in 2004, where she had been living with her brother, Robert (Lower Sixth), and her parents.
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In her speech to assembly Jocey spoke of the privileges that go with being Head of School: being allowed to wear a multicoloured coat; be married; grow a beard and graze her goat on Prefects’ Lawn. Traditions more akin with times gone by perhaps than today! Jocey’s message to School was to ‘never give up’, something she has exemplified in her time here. She has taken every opportunity offered to her be it playing the saxophone, being a member of the CCF Shooting Team, playing 1st XI Hockey or, literally, throwing herself into Girls’ Rugby. Currently studying Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Design Technology for A Level, Jocey is awaiting the results of her interview at Loughborough University, where she wants to join several other Sutton Valence students studying Industrial Design.
Anne Wilkinson l
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Sutton Valence School
Drama
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‘Grease’
is probably one of the best loved musicals ever written. It has been a smash hit both on stage and screen. The music reflects the Rock ‘n’ Roll era and songs tell about love, friendship, image and rebellion. What better musical to show off our newly refurbished theatre – The Baughan Theatre – than this most popular production! Mentioning all who took part would take forever. Suffice it to say that EVERYONE pulled their weight to make this show the hit it was; all those on stage and off. Chris Rickards l
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Sutton Valence School
Training Teachers utton Valence School has this year begun a partnership with Canterbury Christchurch University to train teachers. As an independent school we recognise our responsibility to contribute to the educational community at large and, by nurturing the next generation of teachers, we can go some way to meeting this aim. However, there are also considerable benefits for us as a school. Our contact with the university has helped keep us up-todate with the latest educational research into effective teaching and learning. The teacher trainees, with their enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge, have helped Sutton Valence teachers reflect on and sharpen their own practice. Finally, and most importantly, our students benefit from the dynamism which has accompanied the teacher training partnership as it impacts positively on their classroom experience.
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Mark Ebden has been teaching Biology, Physics and Chemistry. He said of his experience “When I was told, shortly before November half-term, that my first school placement had unfortunately fallen through and that I would be transferring to SVS, I don't think I realised just how lucky
I was. I have enjoyed my time here immensely and am thoroughly grateful to everyone who has offered help and support along the way. I really was made to feel welcome from the day I arrived. I can only hope for a similar expe-
rience during my next placement at the North School in Ashford.” Jane Waterman, who joined the English Department, reflected on her time at Sutton Valence, “In my time here I have met many truly inspirational teachers. Perhaps more importantly, I have also been privileged to teach truly inspirational students. My experiences at Sutton Valence have shown me the kind of school that I would like to teach in, and have begun to shape me into the kind of teacher I want to be. I would like to thank those in the classes I have taught, for their enthusiasm (often louder than expected, but always appreciated!), their honesty (the Fourth Form’s decision that my impersonation of a soldier servant in the first world war wasn’t up to much!) and, most of all, for the lessons I have learned from them in teaching me how to teach them!” Richard Maloney l
Sixth Form changes raise academic expectations he start of this academic year saw significant changes to the structure and form of our Sixth Form:
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ular responsibility for welfare and pastoral care, as well as academic performance.
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When asked about the reasons behind the changes and the impact they are having, Mr O’Connor said, “These changes are designed to raise and sustain the academic expectations of our students. The current Sixth Form has responded well with a sharper focus on their academic studies and an impressive commitment to their broader responsibilities as the senior members of the school community. I am confident that over time this will be reflected in their results.” Helen Knott l
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Academic targets have been set high with the objective of Sixth Formers gaining 70% A – B grades by 2012 Tutor groups are vertically integrated, comprising students from both the Lower and Upper Sixth, to promote cooperation between year groups and to make the Lower Sixth more aware of the coming pressures of university applications and A2 examinations Study rooms and communal areas have seen significant investment in décor and equipment to facilitate private, independent study. Students now wear business suits in recognition of their senior status within the school community
Ed O’Connor was appointed as Director of Sixth Form to work closely with Christine Kitchen and Kay Anderson, who have particSutton Views: February 2008
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Sutton Valence School
Netball t’s been a busy start to the term with lots of matches against tough opposition. At senior level we have managed to get three teams out but are still awaiting that win after defeats by St. Edmund’s and King’s Canterbury. At U15 level, we are looking impressive with the U15 ‘A’ team narrowly losing against King’s but beating St. Edmund’s and St. Lawrence, 18-15 and 21-11 respectively. We have also put out U15 ‘B’ and ‘C’ teams in this age group. At U14 level we had a close loss against King’s but bounced back to beat St. Edmund’s 266. Unfortunately, although we have lots of keen girls, not many other schools put out ‘C’ teams as well but we’re hoping to add a few fixtures during the term. With the juniors, there have only been two matches – U13 ‘A’ and U12 ‘A’ against King’s Rochester. The U12s started off their Netball season with an impressive 7-1 win, but the U13s lost 21-12. On Wednesday 23rd January we put out five teams against DCPS – every girl in the 1st and 2nd Year represented the school – a fantastic achievement! At U13 and U12 ‘A’ team level we beat DCPS 13-8, and 14-6 respectively. Graham Alderman l
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Boys Hockey 2008 n March last year we were celebrating a very successful season of boys’ hockey. To live up to the successes is going to be very difficult, but the boys’ games department are all very committed to doing so. There will be 15 different boys teams representing the school this term from 1st XI to U13 ‘D’ teams, playing fixtures in the Kent Cup U18, U16 and U14 (at time of writing all teams successfully through to quarter finals), Kent County tournaments as well as the usual ‘friendly’ fixtures.
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The first XI is captained this year by Daniel Masters for whom this will be the third year in the 1st XI. He will be ensuring all players are fully focussed on living up to the reputation that has preceded the Sutton Valence School hockey teams on our strong South East circuit. He is also giving up some of his personal time to help inspire the younger age groups in their activity time, as are the majority of the first XI. He has also been asked to train with the East Grinstead 1st XI this year – a real honour as they are currently 2nd in the England Hockey Premier League. Further down the school the U12 team look to be very promising, as do the U13 and U14 teams, showing there is certainly plenty of talent being developed and coming though the school. I look forward to being able to report back at the end of the season on the accomplishments of the teams, but in the mean time I would like to wish them good luck in all their fixtures! James Peverley l
Sponsored Walk irsten Hawkins and Vicky Chiswell, with Mr Maloney, present two cheques for £5,200 to Caroline Brinkman, from the Heart of Kent Hospice, and Sarah Driver-Jowitt from “Facing the World” charities. The £10,400 was raised by the sponsored walk last term.
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Geoff Piper l Sutton Views: February 2008
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Sutton Valence School
Celebration Assembly very Friday the whole of Sutton Valence Preparatory School come together to celebrate our achievements for the week. Parents, grandparents and siblings are invited to attend and enjoy watching our children perform or receive awards for their achievements, and then celebrate themselves afterwards with a cup of tea!
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Mr Gibbs presents Superstars and Courtesy badges to the younger pupils and Merits and Credits to the older pupils, all of which are rewards for great work or an admirable effort. The house point winners are announced and a weekly update is given with regards to the winning house that week. Mr Gibbs also presents two form awards to a form in Prep-Prep and one in Prep who have had a particularly successful week, whether this be academic success or a generally great effort by all. Individual pupils play music which they have been practising. We have had Nathan
Barclay, Hannah Buchanan and Harry Brunt play the piano so far.
wonderful poetry whilst dressed in a vibrant range of clothing.
One form performs a short class assembly about something which they have been doing in lessons. 3D performed the ‘Weighing of the Heart’ as part of their Egyptian topic and scared us all with darkness and a loud crocodile. Recently 3H told us about colours and recited some
To finish, Years 5 and 6 have been working on composing a school prayer which will be recited by all pupils at the end of the assembly. Various pupils have been reading their own compositions in assembly and Mr Gibbs will be choosing one. Alexia Bracewell l
Swimming Pool Development The building of the new swimming pool is taking shape.
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