The Large Hadron Collider and the chemistry of love came together at St Paul's between 9 and 13 March as part of the annual science week, where activities throughout the school take on a scientific theme. Besides the assemblies on the two topics, many clubs and societies joined in the week's scientific theme: two year 12 students gave a talk to the history society on science during the French Revolution and the debaters fought out the merits of science and literature degrees.
Photographers entered a competition for their science photos (the winner was Janina Moutia-Bloom with a portfolio about the five senses) and student journalists took a break from the St Paul's newspaper, The Marble, to produce a science magazine, titled CaCO3 after marble's chemical formula.
Two outside speakers also visited us during the science week programme: Jelena Bekvalac, a bioarchaeologist at the Museum of London, explained what historians and scientists can learn from skeletal remains, while Dr Kevin Fong from University College London talked about his research into space medicine and the prospects of humans going to Mars.
"Dr Fong was a very entertaining speaker," says Ari L'Heveder from year 12. "He sparked a new interest in science for many of us, including me. His talk was a fantastic end to an equally fantastic week."
Under 12 netball team wins Middlesex championship
March 2009
The Under 12 A netball team joined their Under 19 counterparts as county champions on 24 March when the players won their age group of the Middlesex netball tournament. "We were fortunate enough to be able to enter two teams, the A team and the B team," says the head of PE, Marika Hatley. "The B team played brilliantly against other schools' A teams. The captain, Mary Kiernan, and the defensive unit gave particularly strong performances. Tthey should be very proud of their achievements this year."
Meanwhile, the A team won its section, qualified for the knock-out stages and met Lady Eleanor Holles School in the final. "The girls controlled their expectations with such ease and maturity," says Marika. "The coaches, parents and players had seen flurries of beautiful netball all season and it flowed across the court before our eyes. The cheers from the sideline got louder and louder as the ball kept swooshing through the net." The celebrating team members chose Bella Hindley as their player of the tournament.
"We dominated the game and the tremendous final score of 7–2 meant that St Paul's youngest students of all were able to leap and jump for joy," Marika adds. "Such eager and happy faces can only make a coach feel excited about what more there is to come."
A vs Waldegrave
3–2
A vs Ellen Wilkinson B
14–0
A vs Heathfield
2–1
A vs Kingsbury High
11–0
A vs Channing
10–3
A vs NLCS
7–1
A vs Waldegrave (semi-final)
4–2
A vs LEH
7–2
B vs Bridge Academy
8–0
B vs LEH
2–6
B vs Vyners
8–0
B vs Highgate
3–3
B vs Godolphin & Latymer
1–2
Under 13 netball team reaches county quarter-finals
March 2009 A perfect winning record in the group stage of the Middlesex county netball tournament took the Under 13 netball team to the quarter-finals of the competition. Ella Jackson was the team's player of the tournament, which ended for this year's team with a close match against Notting Hill and Ealing High School.
vs Highland
6–2
vs St Helen's
6–2
vs Waldegrave
5–2
vs LEH B
8–6
vs NLCS
6–1
vs NHEHS
5–7
Two Under 13 lacrosse teams are county runners-up
March 2009
More than 40 members of year 8 took part in the Middlesex lacrosse tournament for Under 13 teams on 21 March. The A and B teams both came second in their categories and the C team, competing against other schools' B teams, came fifth. "We were blessed with sunshine and lots of supporters," says Marika Hatley, the head of PE. "It was an outstanding achievement for the A team to finish as runners-up. They came fourth last year and had worked hard all season to improve their skills and tactics. Their attitude on the day was brilliant even though the cruel system of 'goal difference' meant they lost out on the trophy."
The top scorers were Ella Jackson for the A team (7), Isabella Colocci for the B team (2) and Alicia Drabble for the C team (2).
Under 13 A
vs St Helen's
5–0
vs NLCS
4–1
vs St James
2–1
vs Heathfield
4–1
vs LEH
1–1
Under 13 B
vs NLCS
2–1
vs LEH C
1–0
vs St James
2–0
vs St Paul's C
1–0
vs LEH B
0–3
Under 13 C
vs NLCS
1–2
vs St James
3–1
vs LEH B
0–6
vs LEH C
1–2
vs St Paul's B
0–1
Players of the tournament:
Under 13 A
Bel Parker
Under 13 B
Sophie Wardlaw
Under 13 C
Abi Hampson
Under 12 lacrosse teams in Middlesex tournament
March 2009 Two Under 12 lacrosse teams took part in the Middlesex county tournament on 21 March. The Under 12 B team finished as runners-up (player of the tournament: Amelia Feehan) and the Under 12 A team came fourth overall (player of the tournament: Bella Hindley).
A vs St Helen's
1–1
A vs NLCS
1–4
A vs St James
2–0
A vs LEH
0–1
A vs Heathfield
4–0
B vs St Helen's
0–1
B vs NLCS
2–1
B vs St James
1–0
B vs LEH B
0–0
B vs LEH C
0–0
Under 13
23–19
Player of the match: Clem Makower
Under 12
10–9
Player of the match: Mary Kiernan
Under 19
vs LEH
7–6
vs Sacred Heart
12–7
vs NLCS
9–8
vs Godolphin & Latymer
13–4
vs Latymer Upper
16–6
Under 16
vs LEH
4–11
vs Park High
6–7
vs Highlands
5–10
vs St Augustine's
9–1
vs Godolphin & Latymer
8–5
Under 15
vs LEH
3–8
vs Moss
6–6
vs St Helen's
8–10
vs Vyners
5–8
vs Highlands
6–8
Under 14
vs Godolphin & Latymer
3–10
vs Latymer Upper
8–0
vs LEH
6–6
vs Heathfield
4–2
vs CLGS
5–5
Under 14
16–20
Player of the match: Kris Caka
Under 12
13–12
Player of the match: Bella Hindley
1st
2–11
Player of the match: Rebecca Kalderon
2nd
6–6
Players of the match: Emma Gibbor and Zara Beavan-Vaughan
1st (6 March)
vs Bradfield College
7–1
vs Caterham
1–2
vs St Swithun's
3–1
vs Loreto
4–0
vs Marlborough
3–0
vs Princess Helena College
4–0
(7 March)
vs Downe House
1–3
vs Haberdasher's Elstree
5–0
vs. Berkhamsted
0–5
vs Godolphin & Latymer
2–4
vs Queen Margaret's
3–0
vs Guildford High
1–3
2nd (6 March)
vs NLCS
5–0
vs Haberdashers' Elstree
3–3
vs St George's, Harpenden
4–0
vs St Swithun's
4–1
vs Guildford High
1–2
vs Downe House 3rd
4–0
(7 March)
vs Cheltenham
2–1
vs Berkhamsted
0–2
vs. Haberdashers' Elstree
3–1
vs St Catherine's 3rd
5–0
vs Guildford High
1–6
vs Haberdashers' Monmouth
5–0
Under 15 A (10 March)
vs Claremont
6–3
vs St Catherine's Bramley
0–1
vs Heathfield St Mary's
2–1
vs Princess Helena College
9–0
vs Bedford
1–0
U14 A/U15 B (10 March)
vs St Catherine's C
3–3
vs Haberdashers' Elstree
1–2
vs Bedford
5–1
vs Wycombe Abbey
4–2
vs Guildford High
0–4
1st
33–13
Player of the match: Anna Harrison
Under 12 A
14–5
Player of the match: Holly Hatfield
Under 12 B
7–3
Player of the match: Hannah Kim
Under 12 C
12–8
Player of the match: Victoria Rees
Under 16
33–15
Player of the match: Chloe Stevenson-Wright
Under 15
31–3
Player of the match: Olly Morley
Under 14 A
25–7
Player of the match: Lamorna Ash
1st
2–7
Player of the match: Anna Harrison
2nd
6–11
Player of the match: Claudia Bayne
Under 15 A
4–10
Player of the match: Olly Morley
Under 15 B
2–1
Player of the match: Sanjana George
Under 14 A
8–4
Player of the match: Kristjana Caka
Under 14 B
8–3
Player of the match: Emma Tritton
Under 13 A
10–9
Player of the match: Ella Jackson
Under 13 B
2–2
Player of the match: Lucy Fleming-Brown
Under 12 A
3–6
Players of the match: Delphine Veys and Hannah Kim
Under 12 B
9–1
Player of the match: Sophia Wigg
Girls' schools gather for leadership conference
March 2009
St Paul's joined other London members of the Girls' Schools Association on 16 March for a Question Time-style conference on women in leadership, hosted by the headteacher of James Allen's Girls' School, Marion Gibbs. During the half-day session, students from the 34 girls' schools discussed the challenges women face in all areas of society with the four panellists: Tess Barnes (a portrait painter), Cath Bishop (an Olympic gold medallist in rowing who now works for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office), Ruth Borthwick (the new national director of the Arvon Foundation for creative writing) and Moni Mannings (who runs the banking department of Olswang Solicitors).
"The speakers encouraged us to be sure of our own values and take a confident attitude to unexpected events," says Ellie Spelman, who attended the event. "They told us that we should never be afraid to try things – we should see failures as something positive and use them to make progress."
Year 7 fund-raising fair collects over £1000
March 2009
Students from year 7 raised £1176.72 by organising a fair in the Great Hall on 19 March which offered food and craft stalls, fairground games and a tombola. Half the money will go to the St Paul's bursary fund and the rest will benefit two charities chosen by students this year, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Afrikids.
"It was fun because we all had something different to sell and interest other people with," says Maddie Culhane from year 7. "Everyone found something they liked – winning prizes, playing 'fling the welly' and 'name the pug' or stuffing their faces at the food stalls. My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed the fair and we can't wait until next year's year 7s do theirs."
Year 8 walks Richmond Park for charity
March 2009
"Walking with friends, sharing sweets and scouting for elusive deer – what could be more fun?" asks Harriet Alway, one of 91 members of year 8 who took part in a sponsored walk around Richmond Park on 15 March. Springtime Sunday sunshine greeted the walkers – and some of their dogs – as they arrived at the start of the eight-mile course. Several parents, including the year 8 parents' representative Melissa Leet, provided refreshments at the finishing mark of the annual fund-raising event, which last year raised several thousand pounds.
"Smiling teachers greeted us at every waypoint and encouraged us on," says Harriet. Another participant, Alethea Redfern, remembers – "Richmond Park was more beautiful than I had imagined. When we'd finished the eight miles, lovely nibbles and cool drinks awaited us, which were more welcome than any trophy."
Remembering Natasha Richardson (1963–2009)
March 2009
We are sorry to hear of the sad death of Natasha Richardson. The news has shaken the St Paul's family, especially those of us who remember Natasha as a student or school friend.
Natasha was born on 11 July 1963 and studied at St Paul's between 1974 and 1979 before she moved on to train at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Her sister, Joely Richardson, also attended St Paul's between 1977 and 1979. "Natasha was two years above me at St Paul's," says Kate Bingham, a current governor of the school. "I remember being mesmerised by a dramatic monologue she performed during an assembly."
Natasha made her West End debut in Chekhov's The Seagull in 1985 and became a renowned theatre actress. In 1998, she won a Tony award for her Broadway performance as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Her films included The Handmaid's Tale, The Comfort of Strangers and The White Countess.
"Natasha visited St Paul's during her run in The Seagull," says Howard Bailes, a history teacher and the school archivist. "She gave a fascinating talk about her understanding of the play and her role as Nina."
Natasha was married to the actor Liam Neeson and had two young sons, Micheál and Daniel. We would like to express our condolences to Natasha's family and to everyone who remembers her fondly.
Netball teams play Godolphin
March 2009 Results from our netball matches against Godolphin & Latymer School on 18 March:
Year 13 students win French debating contest
March 2009
Two year 13 students, Cecylia Grendowicz and Katy Phillips, have won a French debating contest for learners of French organised by the Institut Français, the French cultural centre in London. The final, held at the institute itself, saw the pair compete in two rounds in front of a jury which included the French cultural attaché, Paul Fournel, and three of his staff. After a hard-fought first round against North London Collegiate School, they beat Sevenoaks School in the second round, a debate on an unprepared subject.
"The assessors complimented them on their poise, their varied, solid and well-structured arguments and the quality of their French," says French teacher Hélène Frere. "They both won £100 and a set of books in French."
"The competition was fierce but Katy and I managed to convince everyone that the Olympics should be the government's priority during an economic crisis – which was a difficult standpoint," says Cecylia. Katy adds – "It was quite draining to do three debates without a break in the first round. However, debating a topic we hadn't prepared in the final was both challenging and exciting."
Rainbow fund-raising for Sri Lankan charity
March 2009
One year 8 tutor group raised over £450 in a day this term after its members held a rainbow-themed fund-raising event to support a Sri Lankan charity, the Rainbow Centre. The students spent several days planning the event before they organised a dressing-up day, cake sale and raffle (under the supervision of their tutor, Melanie Arr) to benefit the centre, which provides care, education and medical treatment for 100 street children in south-western Sri Lanka.
"We started the day with a rainbow football session and then set up our cake stall," says Alice Rochford from year 8. "After a frenzied rush of students desperate for cake, we were left facing a table strewn with empty tins and realised that we'd sold everything."
Under 19 players are Middlesex netball champions
March 2009 Four netball teams from St Paul's took part in the finals of the Middlesex county netball tournament on 14 March. The Under 19 team became county champions after winning all five of their matches. Two teams (Under 16 and Under 14) were placed third in their age group and the Under 15 team came sixth in its category. "Everyone played superbly, so the teams decided not to name individual players of the tournament," says PE teacher Melanie Arr.
Netball teams play LEH
March 2009 Results from our netball matches against Lady Eleanor Holles School on 16 March:
Lacrosse teams play LEH
March 2009 Results from our lacrosse matches against Lady Eleanor Holles School on 16 March:
Two top ten finishes in national lacrosse tournament
March 2009
Four determined St Paul's lacrosse teams headed to the National Schools' Lacrosse Tournament on 6–7 and 10 March – with one team, a combined Under 14 A/Under 15 B squad, only finding out that they would take part after a phone call at 5.30 pm the day before. During the weekend event, the two senior St Paul's teams (1st and 2nd) held their nerves through tough group and knock-out stages to finish among the top ten teams in the country – indeed, the 2nd team finished in the top six, with Hannah Chambers the player of the day on 6 March and Naimh Cunningham and Ellie Spelman joint players of the day on 7 March. Emma Gibbor scored 7 goals for the team and Fabia Lewis and Ally Hart scored 5 each.
"Some great play and wonderful team spirit propelled us through the first day," says Chloe Colliver from the 1st team. "We won every group game but one and went into the Championship division on the second day. This meant we faced some very difficult opponents, including the eventual winners, Guildford High. It was a fantastic, if somewhat tiring, end to the season for St Paul's lacrosse."
Ten different members of the Under 14 A/Under 15 B team scored goals during the group stage of their age group's competition on 10 March, explains the head of PE, Marika Hatley. "Jamie Voros was outstanding in goal and the number of players who scored shows the depth of their talent and enthusiasm in attack. The experience of their first national tournament was positive and we hope it's a sign of things to come."
Netball team plays Latymer Upper
March 2009 The result from our netball match against Latymer Upper School on 11 March:
Blanche McIntyre wins young directors' bursary
March 2009
Blanche McIntyre, who directed her first play at St Paul's aged 15, received a boost to her career as a theatre director in February when she won the National Theatre's Leverhulme bursary for young directors. Blanche will spend the first six months at the National Theatre Studio helping to cast actors, liaising with agents and developing her contacts in the theatre industry. The bursary will then fund her to put on a four-week run of a production at the Finborough Theatre, giving her work a London showcase.
Blanche's drama experience at St Paul's began in a junior dramatics group where she was mentored by Thea Sharrock, now an award-winning director herself. "Then, when I was 14, I saw Katie Mitchell's brilliant production of Henry VI, Part III at the Royal Shakespeare Company," says Blanche, who moved on in 1999 and studied classics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. "It first inspired me to research the Wars of the Roses but then I realised that I could re-create that incredible adrenaline buzz by doing a play myself. I chose the medieval mystery play Everyman and put it on in the Singing Hall at St Paul's. As far as I'm aware, no-one had ever put on an independent show before."
Blanche went on to direct the annual Colet play (in which the whole of year 12 takes part) and start up the Everyman Theatre Company, a student drama company which put on five more productions during her time at St Paul's. "We did Antigone, The Enquiry, The Bacchae, Tara and Mervyn Peake's The Wit to Woo. I directed The Wit to Woo and we had to make a suit of armour. I remember wheeling it over to school in an abandoned shopping trolley, making a really awful noise, at about 7.30 am."
Blanche directed seven plays at Oxford and the Edinburgh Fringe while she was at university before taking a postgraduate directing course at Drama Studio London and working on many more productions. Her bursary production at the Finborough Theatre is scheduled for December 2009 or January 2010.
Netball teams play Godolphin and Latymer
March 2009 Results from our netball matches against Godolphin and Latymer School on 11 March:
Netball teams play Abbot's Hill
March 2009 Results from our netball matches against Abbot's Hill School on 7 March:
Leading critics hold Dickens study day
March 2009
Year 12 English students encountered the state of the art in Charles Dickens scholarship on 25 February when five eminent speakers visited St Paul's for a Dickens study day. The session, organised by English teachers Sarah Wah and Jonathan Patrick, focused on the two novels we're studying for AS-level coursework this year, Oliver Twist and Our Mutual Friend. Dr Felicity James (Christ Church, Oxford University), Prof Francis O'Gorman (University of Leeds), Dr Gail Marshall (Oxford Brookes University), Dr Juliet John (University of Liverpool) and Prof Andrew Sanders (Emeritus Professor, University of Durham) spoke on topics which ranged from the continuing popularity of Oliver Twist to the periodicals in which Dickens's novels first appeared and Victorian beliefs about the afterlife.
"The day was a perfect introduction not just to the life and work of Dickens but also to the expectations of Victorian society," says one of the English students, Saskia Taylor. "We approached the novels from angles we had never considered before."
Ireland conference complements year 13 studies
March 2009
History students from year 13 gathered on 5 March to exchange ideas on the subject of their A2 course this year, Anglo-Irish history between 1798 and 1921. The all-day conference included a keynote lecture by Prof Thomas Bartlett from the University of Aberdeen as well as short papers by students themselves on aspects of their A2 course. The day ended with a seminar where the historians questioned Prof Bartlett on the points he had raised during his lecture. The issue of a national cultural identity proved particularly thought-provoking - and the group will be able to explore it again when the history department invites other experts in Irish history to speak at St Paul's before A2 exams begin.
"Prof Bartlett's talk clarified how complex the Irish nationalist movement was," says Alice Brindle. "He explored areas of Irish history with which we were already familiar and also encouraged us to re-evaluate our perception of Irish nationalism."
"The conference had an immediate impact on the students' understanding," says Amanda Triccas, who teaches the topic. "They often mentioned Prof Bartlett's name in my lesson the next day. His advice to see Ulster unionism as a form of nationalism gave our debates about opposition to the Union a sophisticated dimension."
Historians simulate the Manchurian crisis
March 2009
Year 10 history students replayed a 1930s diplomatic crisis on 2 March when they took part in a mock League of Nations event which role-played the international response to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. During the session, devised by history teacher Gemma Caines, the year group's 85 historians arranged themselves into groups representing nine countries.
The crisis escalated throughout the afternoon as news flashes of images and text appeared on the classroom's back projection screen (a kind donation from the St Paul's parents' association, the Parents' Guild). Most students had opportunities to make formal speeches and intervene in the debates.
"The atmosphere was very dynamic," says Anastasiya Gorodilova, one of the participants. "Several 'international disputes occurred and the relations between countries became more highly charged as extra evidence came to light." Iman Ahmedani adds – "Because I was playing the prime minister of France, I learned more about French foreign policy during the crisis. It was also a valuable insight into how the League of Nations worked – or didn't work – in practice."
Chess player represents England in Lithuania
March 2009
A year 9 student represented England at chess in February when she was chosen as part of the team to compete in the Lithuania Independence Day International. Jennifer Ehr visited Vilnius with the National Chess Junior Squad to participate in the tournament (where England came first), make new friends and play in the ever-falling snow.
"Vilnius was a beautiful city and the old town was lovely to walk through," says Jennifer. "The tournament coincided with Lithuanian Independence Day, which commemorates Lithuania's independence from Communist rule. People were celebrating in the street waving Lithuanian flags and there were musicians playing. We spent the evenings practising chess, playing cards and shopping, which helped me get to know the other members of my team much better."
Year 11 sports leaders keep borough tournament on track
March 2009
Training to be a sports leader at St Paul's improves your ability to run sporting activities, develops your management and organisational skills – and gives you the satisfaction of helping children at other borough schools get the most out of our sports facilities. On 26 February, we hosted the Hammersmith and Fulham Sports Hall Athletics Competition for primary school children and year 7 students in our own sports hall. Fourteen budding sports leaders from year 11 were on hand to support the event.
One of the students working towards the Junior Sports Leadership Award is Chloe Colliver. "Our job was to help the children when they arrived at school and then set up and assist in the competition itself," says Chloe. "For example, we measured long jump distances and timed the relay races. The day was a great success. It was rewarding to see the facilities we're so lucky to have at our disposal being put to such good use in the wider community – and seeing so many young children enjoy them."
Lacrosse teams play Benenden
March 2009 Results from our lacrosse matches against Benenden School on 28 February:
Under 13 cricket team wins county final
March 2009
Two St Paul's cricket teams took part in the Middlesex county finals of the National Schools Cricket Tournament on 11 February. The Under 15 team came second to their Hammersmith rivals, Godolphin & Latymer School, and the Under 13s went one better: after achieving a close first place, they will represent Middlesex in the next round of the tournament on 20 April. The competitors also received tickets to attend the England Women's International Test Match in July.
"There was plenty of excitement to go around as we made our way through the tournament at Lord's," says Sophia Wigg from the victorious Under 13 team. The head of PE, Marika Hatley, adds – "The Under 13s played very well in their first four games but lost their last match. They tied in first place but their excellent batting earlier in the competition meant that they had scored the highest number of runs and could lift the trophy with pride."
Being here 