scissorum december 5 2014 issue 80.indd

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Merchant Taylors’ School Issue 80

Merchant Taylors’ School Weekly Newsletter01 December 5 2014

What a wonderful sporting week it has been! Last Friday night saw the First XV take on Haberdashers’ Aske’s under the fl oodlights of the Allianz Arena, with a strong second half performance ending in a 27-12 win. This set the tone for the next day’s matches, with MTS winning nine out of the ten fi xtures – a superb display. We also heard the wonderful news this week that Andrew Thomas has been selected for the full England U17 cricket team; a marvellous achievement, and a fi ne example to our junior sportsmen.

Congratulations to all the boys, teachers, and parents involved in this year’s school play, The Club, which I saw on Friday last. It was enormously gratifying to see the boys have such fun whilst entertaining the audience so wonderfully.

It was something of a diff erent club, on Monday evening, when I attended the OMT Arts & Creative Industries Networking Reunion at the Oriental Club, Fitzrovia. So many OMTs work in media and the arts, and the tremendous aff ection that they have for the school was palpable. We are systematically organising more networking events sector by sector by sector and current Sixth Formers would do well to take advantage of the generous work experience opportunities so many of our OMTs are off ering.

I am very much looking forward to seeing astronaut Chris Hadfi eld on Sunday and whilst I am on the subject of forthcoming events, please do not forget that next Sunday, the 14th, is the Carol Service; ecumenical in spirit, we welcome everyone in our community – of all faiths and of none – to this highlight of the festive season.

From the Head Master

Outstanding Week for Sport!

Andrew Thomas selected for England see page 2

Friday Night Lights victory at Allianz see page 21


MTSThis WeekFirst Cap!Andrew Thomas has been selected to represent the England U17 cricket team on a tour to the UAE against Pakistan in February. This is fantastic news, and Andrew thoroughly deserves this opportunity after being the leading run scorer at this year’s National Bunbury Festival. Andrew has been working hard towards this goal, and after gaining an Academy contract with Middlesex CCC in September, he has been rewarded the honour of representing his country. We congratulate Andrew for this outstanding achievement, and wish him well on the tour.


MTSThis WeekBravo Two ZeroFrom the day that he was found in a carrier bag on the steps of Guy’s Hospital, Andy McNab has lived an extraordinary life. As a teenage delinquent, he kicked against society, as a young soldier he waged war against the IRA in the streets and fi elds of South Armagh; and as a member of 22 SAS he was at the centre of covert operations for nine years – on fi ve continents. During the Gulf War, he commanded Bravo Two Zero, a patrol that, in the words of his commanding offi cer, ‘will remain in regimental history for ever’. Awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and Military Medal (MM) during his military career, McNab was the British Army’s most highly decorated serving soldier when he fi nally left the SAS. Since then he has become one of the world’s bestselling writers, drawing on his insider knowledge and experience. As well as three nonfi ction

bestsellers, he is the author of the bestselling Nick Stone thrillers, several other fi ction, and non-fi ction titles as well as a series of books for young adults. Besides his writing work, he lectures to security and intelligence agencies in both the USA and UK, works in the fi lm industry advising Hollywood on everything from covert procedure to training civilian actors to act like soldiers, writes for a variety of newspapers and magazines and campaigns tirelessly as a spokesperson and fundraiser for both military and literacy charities.

Andy spent over an hour delivering a speech on leadership and clarity of Command to the Army section; on completion of a Q&A he graciously signed books for those who had bought them. His photo cannot be shown.


MTSThis WeekActores Adsunt!This past fortnight Mr Tyler’s Third Form has been learning about the Roman theatre in Latin, culminating in their creation of these wonderful Roman personae (masks). The open-air theatre in Pompeii held 5,000 spectators who could enjoy pantomimes, tragedies, and comedies by Plautus and Terence. In May, many of the Form will have a chance to visit Pompeii, and, who knows, maybe act out a scene wearing their masks.


MTSThis WeekDesign CentreRain doesn’t stop play: the Design Centre continues to take shape and the roof is nearly closed!


MTSDramaClubbing!The school play this year was a triumph of comedy and wit - although in truth it was actually two plays. The evening began with a Harold Pinter short, ‘Trouble in the Works’, brilliantly performed by Charlie Seddon and Marcus Cox. The frustration of a northern factory boss with the polite intransigence of his workers’ representative (and his incomprehension at the products the workers had to manufacture) set the scene perfectly for what was to follow.

David Williamson’s ‘The Club’ was an ambitious choice for a school play, set in an Australian Rules Football club in the 1970s where the players are about to go on strike. Club president Jock (Elliot Arnold) played 292 games for the team in his day and is furious that strike action could even be considered. His equally heavy-drinking Chair, Ted, (George Solomou) has improved the club’s commercial position but now fi nds himself isolated between Jock and the players. Then there is Laurie (Tom Bannon), a former club player and now long-serving coach, who, tries to assuage the anger of his players while also fi ghting for his own position. Circling proceedings is Gerry (James Seery), Aussie Rules’ top administrator who uses his cunning to orchestrate everything while appearing to be everyone’s

best friend. The players themselves - Danny, played by Aaron Rozanski and Geoff , played by Daniel Surkes - were a wonderful mix of arrogance and insecurity, their agendas constantly clashing with those of their management.

The play’s most vital element was humour with the actors brilliantly representing caustic Aussie wit at its best. The fact that every single actor clearly defi ned each individual role meant that there was an abundance of interesting subtexts. Most memorable, were the tempestuous battles that Jock had with Ted and Laurie, the latter two trying to hang on to their jobs against a corrupt club stalwart hell-bent on protecting his reputation - along with a scheming Gerry with his shifting allegiances. The mix of alcohol, swearing, and pride was a heady cocktail and meant there was never a time when the pace slowed. Every actor gave depth to their character – striking a contrasting note of pathos amidst the largely comic proceedings. The moment when Laurie instructs the players to start taking down the club photos from the walls was an eloquent rebuke to the arrogance of his bosses. Overall, this was a hugely enjoyable production, directed with typical aplomb by Dameon Garnett and acted with both swagger and sensitivity by a talented cast.


MTSLooking Forward


MTSLooking Forward

HIGHLIGHTS

INCLUDE BANDS

Red Hot Chili Banter,

Wink 91 and The

Revolutionaries, as well as

solos by Max Gray,

Will Reubin and

Cassius N-G.

TONIGHT AT 7.30

STUDIO THEATRE, TICKETS JUST £5


MTSCreative Writing

If you are reading these words, then I am dead, or about to be, and you now fi nd yourself on a cargo ship, adrift somewhere near the Arctic Ocean, or is it the Atlantic? No, it can’t be, for as I write this, chunks of ice slowly fl oat past the porthole. I am Lieutenant Timothy Banks, and I might not be for much longer. We discovered something out on this cursed ship, and if you are here, it might fi nd you too. You must read this carefully, if you are enlisted with the Royal Navy, or with any branch of the military, I order you to stop reading this letter immediately. Scuttle this vessel immediately, please. Do not fi nish this letter, bring down this ship, and leave this location as quickly as you can, and pray you make it. If not, then I believe you must read on, for my sake and that of my lost crewmembers.

So many thoughts are in my head, it is diffi cult to bring them all into one coherent string, and to bring down what I must on this paper. What we found must never be revisited, you must never come back to this ship’s location. Now I begin, it started on a cold, dry day. We were out on patrol, scanning the nearby plateaus of ice for anything we thought was out of place, but in that wilderness of fl at freezing water with the occasional berg or two here and there, there was nothing. We heard nothing except the whirring of the engines below the engines below the deck,

and the drumming of the propellers beneath the water. You might be wondering why we were even out here, in this plain of nothingness. The unvarnished truth is that we received a distress signal from a cargo ship in the area. The distress was a collection of garbled sounds and mutterings, with incoherent strings of words here and there, but one thing I would swear I heard, was the sound of a man screaming.That was all I could get from the message, and so we ventured out, one destroyer in the vast arctic, looking for a cargo ship that may or may not be there. We looked in all directions, checked sonar, all radio frequencies, resorting to old methods of locating, but nothing. It was just the ice, the ocean, and us. It was not long however before we soon encountered something in the water, something that sends a chill down my spine as I write this. We dragged the object out of the water; it had no discernible shape, until I looked closer. When the thing landed with a thud on the deck, after being released from the crane, it was then that we realised. What we had found was a body. It looked like it had been swathed, shielded from the intense cold, by layer upon layer of clothing. His skin was as pale as moonlight, his features were lifeless, and there was a bullet hole in his temple. Was he shot –or did he kill himself? Why and when he died remained a mystery, but it was at that moment we saw it.

The cargo ship was drifting in front of us; it stood as if it were waiting only for us. It had a black coating of paint, with red containers littered around the deck. Its markings, XX-13, were of a military nature, and I

could not possibly determine their signifi cance. As ordered, we came to a halt near the derelict ship. A score of us boarded the ship, our rifl es out and breathing heavily under our masks, we proceeded to investigate what had happened. There were more bodies: strewn across the deck and mangled beyond recognition, with pools and smears of blood covering the deck and the containers. The bridge windows, too, were splattered with blood. They seemed to refl ect the shattered numbness of our minds. Some of the containers were open, but we didn’t check inside, until one of us did. It was then that we heard the sound that I continue to hear as I write this letter. One of us was being dragged inside a container. He screamed his life out, but it was too late. He was thrust inside and almost immediately thrown back out, covered with blood and dead already. Some fi ve of us ran inside as quickly as we could, while the others, I could see and hear them blindly fi re their weapons towards the container, ran back to the destroyer. I think they made it. I hope they made it. We each ran into a separate room on the fi rst fl oor below deck, and we all locked the doors. But I can hear their screams, I can hear them dying. I don’t think the destroyer got away, I don’t think I’ll get away. Everyone must be dead, and soon I will be too. The screams have stopped now, and as I write this, I glance to the porthole and notice something, something that transfi xed me: a man-like creature, with ashen skin that seems slowly to vibrate. It is right up against the porthole, just staring at me, with those pale yellow eyes. Did I say yellow? Because they are now red as blood...

Omar Kheder (5ths)


MTSSocietiesSaccage & Soccage or Stalin and -isms?On Thursday, three of the school’s top Upper Sixth historians took part in a debate on the process of historical research. The motion was ‘This House believes that the study of medieval history is more academically rigorous than that of later periods.’

Archie Vaughan represented the ‘medieval’ period, Daniel Feeney ‘early modern’ and Matthew Henderson ‘modern’. Archie spoke fi rst, basing his argument on the undeniable fact that there is a more limited range of medieval source material, making it harder to piece together events. He eff ectively dismissed the superfi cial argument that medieval history lacks ‘relevance’, to show that, when properly understood, there

are many links to modern times. Daniel replied fi rst, arguing that, given its position between two periods, the early modern period is the period open to the most rigorous academic study, as there is a plethora of both primary and secondary material, whilst also suffi cient doubt to animate debate. Finally, Matthew, representing modern history, argued that such was the scope of material available, that the intellectual processes required for synthesis enforced the most academically rigorous and discerning research. All three speakers then confi dently addressed questions from the audience before their closing statements. A vote was taken: 15 supported Archie, 1 Daniel, and 7 Matthew; the villeins have it!


MTSSocietiesAn incorruptible crown?The Junior History Society met this week to determine the fate of King Charles I. The execution of Charles 1 is a signifi cant historical moment in school history. William Juxon (OMT, Class of 1598, and later Archbishop of Canterbury) was the Bishop of London who off ered Charles the Last Rites on the scaff old and heard the famous last words, “I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown, where no disturbance can be, no disturbance in the World”.

They boys were divided into prosecution, defence, and jury, whilst Aryan Dave played the role of King Charles. Proceedings were opened by the President of the Court, John Bradshaw

(Lawrie Lee). Aryan addressed the court confi dently, stressing that the Divine Right of Kings was suffi cient justifi cation for his actions. However, as the prosecution interrogated his role, in the Petition of Right and the Grand Remonstrance, Aryan found himself on the receiving end of some sharp barbs from Ishy Levy, Samir Sardana, and Teigue Murphy. The jury, led by Shrian Thobhani, off ered Charles a lifeline. If he would fi nally accept the Petition of Right and submit to Parliament’s authority, then they would spare his life. Aryan, however, was unwilling to suff er this humiliation and refused. The outcome can be seen in the photo!


MTSSocietiesThe Immigration DebateIt was marvellous to see so many boys turn up to hear our geography teachers (in role) debate the controversial topic of immigration to the UK. Over sixty spectators heard arguments from teams of teachers and students, weighing up the economic, social, and political impacts of immigration. Boys made their own substantive contributions from the fl oor. Detail included confl icting reports on the net economic impact of migrants, the importance of skilled labour for unfi lled positions, and the potential for confl ict due to the rate of cultural change. More nuanced arguments focused on the diff erent winners and loser of the migration game, from big business seeing wages depressed, to the risk of exploitation of migrants through modern slavery. The students were well informed and displayed real mastery of the range of issues involved.

The result was too close to call, though some would say that the “No” team had a handful more votes.

Immigration: a word that has been key in British politics over the last few years. As the Geography department conducted a controversial debate on Tuesday, we explored what immigration means at MTS.

The Offi ce for National Statistics confi rms that ‘583,000 people immigrated to the UK in the year ending June 2014, a statistically signifi cant increase from 502,000 in the previous 12 months. There were statistically signifi cant increases

in immigration of EU (up 45,000) and non-EU (up 30,000) citizens.’ Should this be limited? Is this acceptable? It seems that people have diff erent views on immigration according to their own experience, particularly if their ancestral background lies outside the UK. Sometimes, people seem to focus on that they see as ‘the bad side’ of immigration when they are not from a family of immigrants.

We interviewed a small selection of the student body on their views. Joe (Upper Sixth) told us that he thinks the topic of immigration is very controversial. He explained that the argument against immigration blames immigrants for ‘taking jobs’ whilst arguments for immigration suggest that ‘many immigrants contribute to society and pay taxes’. Mustafa (Fourths) whose parents were born in Somaliland, thinks that immigration is good because it allows people from developing countries to get well paid jobs. Sean (Thirds) told us that his grandparents emigrated from Ireland to England. He explained that his life would be completely diff erent if his parents hadn’t been able to emigrate.

Overall, MTS’s views on immigration seem positive, although there is a national trend at the moment for people, including politicians, to play the race card and position as ‘cool’ irrational prejudices that say, too simply, that immigration is bad.

Reporters: Max, Rahil and Mithul Form IV

A Personal Perspective Defi nition: Immigration (noun) - when a person moves from one country to another permanently e.g. “a border to control illegal immigration.”

Immigration is a controversial topic. Throughout politics, many are for and many against immigration. People may oppose immigration as they complain that immigrants take ‘their’ jobs. Another major anti-immigration argument is that immigrants replace the local culture with their own and many do not learn the local language. However, many people support immigration as they pay taxes and contribute to the economy.

Personally, I am a second generation immigrant as both my parents are of Indian descent and moved to England when they were children from African countries. I have lived in England all my life and have never lived in India. My grandfather on my mother’s side moved here and became a solicitor. He speaks Gujrati, Hindi and English. He speaks to me in both Gujrati and English to help keep our culture alive. When my father moved here, he had a very strong Indian accent; however he lost it quickly as most of his formal education was in England.

Mithul (Form IV)


MTSSocieties


MTSSocietiesHalakhahIt was marvellous to have Michael Pollack in the school on Thursday talking on Halakhah (Jewish Law) to JSoc.


MTSTripsStars in Their EyesFollowing in the footsteps of former Astronomer Royal, Sir James Jeans (OMT), fi ve intrepid Upper Third physicists ventured to Watford Grammar for a day of astronomical enlightenment courtesy of the association between the Ogden Trust, Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine, and Exscitec. The boys: Dowan Bellerose, Edward Cross, Danyal Hasnaini, Samir Sardana and Jack Wu, took part in a series of hands on activities, including making planispheres, sundials and spectroscopes.

Dr Cathryn Fox of Imperial College gave a learned series of short talks on how our understanding of the solar system has evolved over the centuries, and also provided a wonderful personal

insight into what went on behind the scenes at the European Space Agency Rosetta Mission. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Dr Fox’s demonstration of how to make a comet!

The boys were excellent ambassadors for MTS Science and had the opportunity to address such bizarre questions as “What does a Comet Smell Like?” (and also come to grips with the surprisingly complex physics of light bulbs).

On behalf of the boys, Dr Clarke would like to thank Head of Physics, Mrs Mayadeen for allowing them to take part in this splendid, practical activity day.


MTSTripsA Masterclass in Design

On 1st December, the future designers and engineers of the school visited UCL for a series of insightful lectures into the world of good design.

Powerful thoughts were set in motion by the day’s signature headline: ‘Design is in everything not made by nature.’ This bold statement forces us to consider the way so many everyday products work perfectly, yet at some point in their timeline, were considered innovative.

The fi rst speaker, Sebastian Bergne, is an award-winning British industrial designer who opened a window onto the plethora of products he has developed for a wide range of audiences. His ‘curl’ lamp aims to provide a revolutionary light source with its connector in one simple gesture. Whilst visually stunning, the lamp is also very functional, its LED light adjusting through various tones from cold hospital-like lighting to the warm colour of a traditional light bulb. His products all share one common goal: ‘making everyday objects special’; and the fantastic reality of this concept is that his high impact products are not only beautiful, but also useful. Every item in his product range justifi es the appellation, ‘everyday’.

From fancy lighting, the emphasis shifted to recycling paper, a far more pressing issue than variable temperature lighting

in the eyes of most. The paper pulp helmet may look like a deformed mushroom, but that is not its USP! It is made from the waste paper collected in London daily to off er an aff ordable product (£1) to cyclists using ‘city bike’ schemes. The pulp paper manufacturing process uses 95% water and 5% paper, blended together to create a sustainable helmet, which can, in turn, be recycled into a new one at the end of its life cycle. Tom Gotellier, Bobby Peterson, and Ed Thomas, three Royal College of art graduates with a passion for cycling, created this product. They described their long journey from prototyping to safety testing the product, which gave us a real sense of what it takes to bring a product to market in these days of spaghetti health and safety legislation. They stood strong when the audience bombarded them with a barrage of questions of the ‘It’s paper, what happens if it rains?’ variety. Yes people, a bunch of designers can anticipate issues with their products: the helmet has an added chemical that makes it impermeable for up to six hours of prolonged rainfall.

A school trip is rarely fascinating if students merely sit and listen for a whole day, so the audience was tasked with creating a gargantuan piece of paper that had to cover the auditorium’s entire seating area. By passing lines of sellotape across the rows and columns of all the seats in the hall, we created a grid of sticky support for the paper. After we had accomplished this


MTSTripssignal feat of engineering, everyone fastened 32 pieces of small scrap paper to their area of tape, and lo and behold, the project was complete! When the idea was mentioned, prematurely cynical students had laughed, and predicted disaster, but in fact, whilst not perfect, the collaboration between people who had never met before produced a perfectly adequate product; no matter how preposterous an idea sounds, all ideas are worth considering, especially if a giant paper plane turns out to be the by-product.

The fi nal speaker was Wayne Hemmingway, a designer, who, together with his wife Geradine, created the fashion brand ‘Red or Dead.’ His journey started in Camden market, making money to pay off his rent in London because he had spent too much clubbing. His key message was ‘you need to start now.’ He recommended that all aspiring fashion designers begin making their own clothes and wearing them if their goal is to become a future global brand.

His design projects diversifi ed into the world of real estate, when he criticised a block of apartments for looking like a prison. He stuck to his guns through countless interviews

and was eventually tasked, by Taylor Wimpey no less, with designing a new estate in Gateshead. The project involved several disputes with the civil engineers. He wanted to build communal barbeques to attract people to the area and bring together the community; however, for reasons as elevated as ‘some bloke’s gonna cook the neighbour’s cat’ the company was reluctant to pursue Hemingway’s idea. As befi ts all good inspirational stories, the communal barbeques are now much-loved by the people of the area and have contributed to building a real sense of community there. On a personal note, the uncanny coincidence of the day was when I learned that I actually live in a house designed by Mr Hemingway; having listened to him, I now understand the conception that lay behind the realisation of the housing in the area.

Mr Hemingway brought passion, inspiration and advice to what was a fantastic day out. It showed us all that design is more than just ‘a guy who draws tables all day’ but is an integral part of the world around us, both aesthetically and functionally.

David Friedmann LVI


MTSTrips


MTSMusicRomantic RecitalOn Wednesday, Mayumi Stone – one of MTS’ piano teachers – gave a stunning recital to a most appreciative audience of parents and staff in the Music department. She played a, mainly, Romantic programme of works by Brahms, Chopin, Debussy and Mozart – including one item as a duet with her pianist-husband, Colin Stone. Mrs Stone studied at the conservatoires in Tokyo and London, and has performed recitals in concert halls all over the world. We are most grateful to Mrs Stone for the evening’s entertainment, as well as to Rabinder Cox-Sehmi from the Serenaders who provided tasty refreshments during the interval.

School Carol ServiceSunday 14th December


Give your support tomorrow! 6th December

Rugby Match with Regiment marks OMTs who fell in The Great War

Rugby v Eton U16A, B, C, U14A, B, C, D: Home KO 2.30

Hockey v Ipswich U12B, D, U12A, C: Home KO 11.30

MTSSport


MTSSportv Haberdashes’ Aske’s

Played 10 Won 9 Lost 1

1st XV Won – 27 -12 Scorers: Wheal, Gregory, Anthony, Sun Cons: Close x 2 Pens: Close MOM: Christian Coull MVP: Alex Wheal

Taylors’ started slowly but built up pressure as the game when on. Taylors’ wore down Habs in the first half, tackle after tackle. In the second half, our dominance in the scrum and the power of our driving maul began to pay dividends, with the forwards smashing holes in the Habs’ defensive line. Excellent carrying displays from Christian Coull and Alex Wheal were telling factors in determining the outcome.

2nd VX Won – 27 - 15 Scorers: David O’Sullivan x 2, Freddie Sargent x 2, Ariyan Nanji, Con: Ollie Fox MOM: Zak Lalani MVP: Ariyan Nanji

A slow start saw the boys a try down after just two minutes, but by half time the team seemed to have the game under full control. A see-saw second half saw a truly spirited comeback from Habs, before a typical seconds, length-of-the-field move was finally touched down by Ariyan Nanji, much to the relief of all the MTS supporters watching!

U16A Won – 51-0 Scorers: Porter, Aarons x 2, Salkeld x 2, Duckworth x 3, Samad Cons: Porter x 3 MOM: Lewis Duckworth

The boys were clinical in all areas of the pitch, but also entirely fluent. They schored some very well-worked tries and played some flowing rugby. Captain Lewis Duckworth was outstanding and put in a fantastic work rate. Credit to the whole team for a well-merited win!

Rugby


MTSSport


MTSSportU16B Won – 49-15 Scorers: Will Howells, Philip Tugnait, Keelan Aurora x 2, Jeri Oyenuga, Raj Vora, Joey Gibson Cons: Max Vaughan x 7 MOM: Max Vaughan MVP: Keelan Aurora

MTS were pumped up for the local derby. Coming off the back of a win against Shiplake, the team wanted to keep the momentum going against Habs. The match could not have begun better for us, with two tries in the first 15 minutes. Big tackles and clever forward play set the ball well for the backs to have free run of the pitch.

Conceding a try just before half time irritated the boys, who came straight out the blocks in the second half and put the game to bed. Aurora ran in two tries, one from his own 5-metre line, and Tugnait

managed a commando roll over the line on a loose ball. Max Vaughan deserves special mention for converting 7out of 7 off the tee: a splendid performance, all round!

U15A Won – 22-3 Scorers: I Rather, O Cross, L Parry, M Cooper Con: F Hart MOM: Brynn Jones MVP: D Mahon

A superb performance by MTS away at Elstree. The forwards carried the ball at the gain line and the backs put pressure on their opposite numbers, both in attack and defence. Brynn Jones proves a lethal threat from the base of left hand scrums and was backed up by Dominic Mahon making his return from injury.

U15B Won – 28-0

Scorers: Stevens, Matheickal, Loftus, Lush Convs: Richards x 4 MOM: Chris Loftus MVP: Thomas Matheickal

Front foot ball and handling proved the difference. An excellent, gritty performance by a fast-improving side that was clinical in its finishing.

U15C Won – 31-0 Scorers: Aslam, Aresti, Dehiri, Daryanani, Omale MOM: Dehiri MVP: Daryanani

A dominant performance, especially in the second half. Another clean sheet, during which a strong defence and an improved forward pack allowed our speedy backs and wingers to punish a vulnerable opposition.


MTSSportU14AWon – 19-12 Scorers: Steene, John Cons: Steene x 2 MOM: Steene MVP: McNaughton

The U14As put in their most impressive performance to date, grinding out an excellent win against a physical and well-drilled Habs XV. The team played with great maturity, sticking to their game plane and playing positively, both in attack and in defence. The most pleasing aspect of play was the improved line-speed in defence, leading to an intercept try for Max John towards the end of the match. The boys’ determination never wavered and they controlled the game right up to the final whistle.

U14B Lost – 14-19

The boys played fantastically well, conducting themselves with really dignity and poise, and were comfortably ahead until 8 minutes from time. Their attack was inspired and their defence, against a real onslaught, was courageous. Most important of all, they did us proud, by playing the game like gentlemen throughout!

U14C Won – 17-5 Scorers: Karan Sofat, Jacob Softleigh-Moore, Sam Davies, Esher Baines MOM: Freddie Tyrell MVP: Nathan Dixon and Jake Lewis

This was an excellent and committed display by the U14Cs, perhaps the most convincing rugby they have played this term. Our set piece was dominant and the pack committed to, or defended at, the breakdown intelligently (well done, pack leader Sam Davies). Our back line showed a great deal of intent going forward, with handling technique much improved. Defensively, Freddie Tyrell was a rock (yet again) and produced great ‘go forward’ in the loose. Both Nathan Dixon and Jake Lewis were ouststanding defensively, putting in the two strongest tackling performances of the season (with the possible exception of Harry O’Sullivan’s efforts against Berko).


MTSSportHockeyv Reed’s School

U13A Lost – 1-4 Scorer: Toby Wickham MOM: Bert Edwards

The match against Reed’s is usually the toughest fixture of the season. Reed’s took a lead that was only momentary as Toby Wickham levelled the score with what can only be described as an astonishing penalty flick of which a 1st XI player could have been proud. It was clear from the first third that the MTS boys were up against it; however, their ability to battle, chase back and tirelessly shut down the opposition was clear for all to see. Ed Poole chased the ball down tirelessly, the defensive players, (Tom Szostak, Victor Buqschop and Sachin Shah) put in great last-ditch tackles, and Cameron Byrne battled well in the centre. Bert Edwards (GK) was again man of the match, his double saves and shot stopping ability showing that he is a real prospect. Overall, it was a great performance, and one from which the the boys can take a lot.

U13C

Lost – 1-4 Scorer: Jack Wu MOM: Jack Wu

Jack Wu continued his fine run of form, scoring another fine goal. However, after taking the lead, the team came under a lot of pressure. Sam Pemberton made some good saves, but ultimately the pressure told and Reed’s were able to score 3 goals in the second third. James Brennon had a good match and showed real ability in passing. Amir Anwar showed great pace down the wing and was nearly able to pinch a goal after a close 2 on 1. Overall, the boys created a lot of chances, but need to work on improving their positioning.

U13D

Lost – 1-5

Scorer: Cameron Fraser MOM: Nirujan Kamalanathan MVP: Ben Chan

The boys battled to hold off Reed’s for the first ten minutes but in the end Reed’s proved too fast on the ball, and claimed a goal. Nirujan made some fantastic saves and the score remained only 1-0 at half time. However, although Ben Chan and Teigue Murphy were staunch in defence, Reed’s pulled ahead at the beginning of the second half. Cameron Fraser made a fantastic run to pull one back for MTS, but the final score was 5-1 to Reed’s. This was fantastic effort against one of the very best hockey schools.

v Kingston Grammar

U12A

Won – 4-0 Scorers: Horridge x 2, Horne x 1, Byrne x 1 MOM: Byrne

The boys dug deep to ensure victory against KGS who started the first half as the dominant team. After a flurry of chances at either end, Taylors’ picked up two scrappy goals and led at half time. After a few words of encouragement, the boys emerged reinvigorated, with Dylan Byrne leading from the front, showing magnificent commitment and superb skill to help drive the attack forward. Assisted by Charlie Horridge’s deadliness in front of goal, we converted two more chances in the second half: a just reward for a much more flowing and dynamic team performance. Another clean sheet and win for the mighty 12 A’s.

U12B

Lost – 1-3 Scorer: Sean Duggan MOM: Sean Duggan MVP: Sean Duggan

The U12B team lost 3-1 to a strong Kingston Grammar School. After conceding an early goal, MTS fought

hard and Sean Duggan scored an outstanding solo goal to level the scores. However, a couple of careless moments led to us conceding two goals. George Wright and Sean Duggan were standout players for their tireless efforts throughout the game.

U12C

Lost – 0-1 MOM: Aaron Florestein MVP: Michael Darbyshire

KGS is well known for its prowess in hockey and the C team knew that it faced a tough challenge. We began poorly, with the visitors dominating both possession and chances. The boys were missing their usual zip around the pitch and it would have been a long, tough 40 minutes had the match continued in this vein. A stirring half time team talk was just what the doctor ordered and the boys came out of the blocks firing. KGS struggled to cope with their renewed energy and the opposition keeper was forced into countless saves to keep them in the game. Sadly, we could not break the deadlock and with 3 mins to go – having committed all our players forward to get that elusive goals –KGS hit us with a sucker punch. Their only shot of the half putting them ahead. The final few minutes saw a couple of near misses at the far post but sadly the boys just couldn’t score the goal they so richly deserved. This was a game we should have won, but sport is like that, sometimes.

U12D

Lost – 0-6 MOM: Alp Kilic

The boys worked hard against a strong 11+ hockey school, but gave away the ball to easily and never had an obvious outlet that would relieve the relentless pressure. Two goals were conceded carelessley, so the scoreline slightly flatters the opposition, but we will have to work on movement off the ball and distribution!


MTSSportv Dr Challoner’s

U12B Lost – 3-4 Scorers: Sean Duggan, Alex Fraser, Ethan Lawes MOM: George Wright MVP: Alexander Fraser

The U12 B team came up against an

extremely strong Dr Challoner’s side and the game started at a fierce pace. The hockey was of a great standard and testament to all the hard work put in this season. Challoner’s broke the deadlock early in the second half and scored a second soon after.

This sparked a spirited fightback from the MTS boys and the next 5 minutes saw an onslaught of chances and shots.

Bang! 1-2. Then a second! 2-2. Then an epic move out of deep defence and a neat finish put the boys in the lead with three minutes remaining – 3-2!

What followed was heartbreaking! Two quick goals in the dying minutes saw what would have been an impressive win turn into a disappointing defeat. This was a great team performance despite the result.

BasketballV WGS

On Friday November28, MTS basketball had their first fixture card of the year against Watford Grammar School. The seniors, captained by Zakir Samed, won comfortably 33-25 in a real team effort, with every member of the team scoring at least one basket.

For their first-ever match, the U16 team played Watford’s Senior Bs, who were significantly more experienced. They

looked neat and well-organised, having trained hard all term, but understandly went down 31-10: a respectable scoreline that demonstrates their future potential. Congratulations to the Senior team and commiserations to the U16s in what was their first competitive fixture.

Look out for six more fixtures next term for both teams, and don’t forget the Charity Drive’s Teachers v Students match on December 16.

Hockey KitStrikers have managed negotiate a fantastic deal with a Hockey manufacture. The deal includes all equipment you require to play Hockey. Mr Alexander and Mr Penny have checked and recommend the composite sticks.

The packs are aimed primarily at boys in Forms III, UIII and IV. If you would like to place an order, please see Mr Alexander / Mr Penny and they will advise you on the right size and pack. Once you are happy, we will place the order (packs delivered to school). Senior sticks are also available.

Junior Combo Pack - £65 Junior sized stick 34” / 35”. Shin pads and Glove

Senior Combo Pack - £80 Senior sized stick, 36.5”. Shin pads and Glove


MTSSport

Phil Hughes MemorialOn Wednesday, members of the 1st XI paid respects to Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes who died so tragically last week. The players gathered at the pavilion and paid their respects in front of the scoreboard: #63not out #408

Cricket


MTSSportFencing

Fives

Swimming

v St Benedict’s

On Wednesday December 3, our fencers took part in a friendly but keenly-fought competition against St. Benedict’s. Most of the Junior Foil team – Luc Worthington, Amar Shah, James Cairn and Yasar Cohen-Shah are new to fencing and this was their fi rst match. Nikita Konovalchik and Sajan Patel also fenced épée for the fi rst time and acquitted themselves well

against an older, more experienced team. Akshay Aggarwal fenced in the sabre team for the fi rst time, along with more experienced fencers James Murrell, Grant Cox-Sehmi and Benedict Cross. Thanks to the senior boys – Adnaan Oomerjee, Naail Agha and Alex Sherborne – who turned out, and to Sam Baumal for once again captaining the team. We are looking forward to the return match in March.

v Oxford University

1st IV Win – 118-72

Elliot Tebboth, Amar Shah and Ethan Taberham played excellently at the weekend to see off Oxford University. Ethan Taberham showed particular promise, playing students three-four years older (and winning his singles 11-0).

The school swimming squad is looking to recruit more swimmers of all ages. There are more galas coming up in January and February, so mail Mr Pacey [email protected] to declare your interest.


MTSSportTeachers v Support Staff Soccer

Senior Harrow Mens’ Gymnastics winner

It is always good to see colleagues enjoying each other’s company and playing sport together. Congratulations to the support staff on a hard-fought 3-1 win in this week’s friendly soccer match. Simon Everson, the Head Master, presented the Golden Boot to the winning team.

Grant Cox-Sehmi has won the Senior Harrow Mens’ Gymnastics Championships this week competing in 6 different disciplines. His best performance came in the Pommel Horse. This is a fantastic achievement by one of our sports scholars. Well done, Grant!


MTSParent 2 Parent


MTSOMT’sUniversity Challenge

Artswallah OMTs at the Oriental

Marvellous to see Anthony Martinelli, (OMT, Class of 2008) now in his sixth year of reading Medicine at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge captain the Caius’ team into the quarter-fi nals of University Challenge this Monday, recording a 200-135 win against Manchester University. They had despatched St Anne’s College, Oxford, in the fi rst round 305—105.

On Monday, the school held its inaugural Arts and Creative Industries Reception at the Oriental Club, Stratford Place, Fitzrovia. The third in our series of business affi nity events was a great success, with some 70 parents, OMTs, parents of OMTs, and St. Helen’s Old Girls present for a lively social evening of networking.

The Head Master spoke about the importance of networking for career prospects, particularly in the arts and creative industries, a sentiment borne out by young OMT, Mikhil Haria, who secured a work placement with OMT (and current parent) Julian Seabrook, at the event.

Philip Simon (OMT, Class of 97) stand-up comedian and actor, and our guest speaker, spoke about the opportunities the school had given him to pursue a career in what he really enjoyed, by allowing pupils to immerse themselves in the fi eld in which they excelled, summarizing his debt to a Taylors’ education with the words: “I know who I am and what I want to be”.

If you missed the event, or are interested in this sort of event, please do get in touch with the Development Offi ce and let us know which sector you work in [email protected].


MTSOMT’s

The one where the OMT counts the jokesGreat to see Talib Visram (OMT, Class of 2006) putting his maths to good use in the prestigious, 150 year old, Atlantic Magazine (formerly the Atlantic Monthly) one of the USA’s most prestigious publications, with a circulation of some half a million. It just goes to show that the diversity of careers that four grade As at A Level open up for an OMT and it is splendid to Talib unfurling the banner of scholarly exegesis cunningly disguised as counting jokes in sit-coms! Just joking, Talib: well done, it’s a real achievement!


MTSReading

Once Upon a Time Something Nasty in the WoodshedMr Capel created this reading card. It is a fascinating,

but harrowing, story from his native South Africa. The focus this week is South African Storytelling. This week’s Firefl y page includes information on the inspirational author, the late Nadine Gordimer; and on the mini-genre of subverted fairy tales.

Mr Lawrence created this reading card to focus readers on ‘Suburban Gothic’; this is a fascinating and unsettling story.

All PDFs are available on fi refl y

English Reading CardsEach Monday until Christmas, the boys will receive an email with a link to an English Reading Card – early Christmas presents from the English Department!

A Reading Card is a very short piece of writing, which the boys can read very quickly, wherever they are, either on paper or on their phones. Each week a diff erent English teacher selects a passage that they have enjoyed, and which the boys will enjoy too.

Each week, the passage will link to a specifi c feature of literature’s long and varied history and the boys can fi nd out more about this on the intranet.

If your son has a QR reader app on his phone, he can also access the Reading Card by scanning the QR code on the posters.

If he would like to subscribe and collect a hard copy or collect the whole set, he should see Mr Manley.

MTSLooking Forward

OMT Colts Cricket Club

Elite Academy training

Dates

Every Thursday 1700-1830

Location

MTS Sports hall For more details; Email [email protected]

Merchant Taylors’ School Weekly Newsletter December 5 201434


MTSLooking Forward

Classics Trip to the Bay of NaplesThe trip will run from Friday 1 May to Monday 4 May 2015 with visits to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Naples, and to the summit of Mount Vesuvius.

The cost of the trip will be in the region of £495, which includes return fl ights Luton-Naples, half board accommodation in Sorrento, all transfers in Italy, and all admission costs.

This is the May Bank Holiday weekend, and the Friday is Field Day, so your son will not miss lessons. Places are limited, and we need to confi rm these as soon as possible. We will allocate places on a fi rst come, fi rst served basis.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Classics, Philip Harrison [email protected].


MTSLooking ForwardDivisions Easter Paris Exchange4 places are still available on the Divisions Easter Paris Exchange for any boys who wish to improve their oral communication by immersing themselves in French culture, talking to their host family over dinner, and communicating with a pen-pal (through social networking) well in advance of the trip. Seize this opportunity and perform with confi dence in the exam. Contact Ms Kotsuba if you are interested.


MTSLooking Forward

scissorum december 5 2014 issue 80.indd

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