scissorum february 27 2015 issue 88.indd

Scissorum1561

Merchant Taylors’ School Issue 88

Merchant Taylors’ School Weekly Newsletter01 February 27 2015

After a restorative week off for half term, it has been uplifting to see the boys full of energy as they begin to ready themselves for the challenges ahead; spring is in the air, the mornings are lighter, and the worst of the winter is now behind us!

I should begin by thanking Ms Broncano and Ms Castro who took boys to a range of Spanish cities in Andalucía and Extremadura on the Spanish Exchange over the break (one of several exchange programmes that the Modern Languages Department off ers). It is always wonderful to see the the spurt in confi dence the boys enjoy after an immersion, however brief, in a foreign language and culture.

On Tuesday night, I attended the concert at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in Threadneedle Street honouring the sacrifi ce of those Merchant Taylors who gave their lives in the Great War. It was a most moving occasion, with General the Lord Dannatt giving a poignant address, and a plaque unveiled commemorating those members of the Livery Company who fell.

On Wednesday night, boys performed in the Duologues competition in the Studio Theatre. Mr Garnett tells me that the quality of the boys’ sketches was especially impressive – and serves to whet the appetite for the production of Kes the boys will be putting on later this year.

Congratulations, fi nally, to Tom Compton who has won Silver in this year’s Physics Olympiad: a signal follow-up to his success in the Cambridge University Chemistry Challenge, (where he placed as one of the top 25 young chemists in the UK). Merchant Taylors’ has enjoyed great success in these competitions over the years and it is most pleasing to see the baton being taken up by today’s boys.

From the Head Master

Spanish Exchange – Seville when it Sizzlessee page 23

“We will Remember Them”see page 29

Goons and Masterminds – Duologues 2015!see page 2


MTSThis WeekDuologues 2015The Juniors really stood out this year, off ering nine Duologues in all: a testament to the boys’ dedication, and the ever-growing popularity of the competition. There was a splendid mix of humour and dramatic intensity, and, as ever, this was a result of the boys’ own personal choices, and the fact that many pieces had been authored by the boys themselves.

Judge, OMT Tristan Bernays, was also impressed by the boys taking on material by writers of the stature of Pinter, Stoppard, and David Hare.

The Junior Prize went to Luke Rozanski and Matthew Hine, for their superbly acted comic caper, ‘The Goon’. The Intermediate Prize went to Selvan Senthilkumaran and Harvey Stevens for ‘A

Little Chat’ (which was in fact a scene about torture, with some very controlled acting).

For the third time running, Dan Allum-Gruselle paired with Jonah Surkes and they ran away with the Senior Prize, off ering the Two Ronnies’ comic masterpiece ‘Mastermind’. They played it without ever cracking a smile – perfect comic acting.

Dylan Shah and Isaac Bettridge were our ‘Best Newcomers’ with an emotional rendition of ‘Journey’s End’.; and Tom Bannon and Daniel Surkes took the prize for The Bolton Cup for Originality with a piece penned by Tom Bannon ‘The Working Class’.

The standard of the whole evening was one of the highest order.


MTSThis Week


MTSThis WeekTeambuildingFor centuries, the school’s prefect body of Monitors and Prompters has been known as the Junior Common Room (JCR). Last month the JCR took part in the inaugural ‘JCR Challenge’ as part of their training as prefects. This team-building exercise involved the JCR completing various tasks around the centre of London, against each other and against the clock. Congratulations to the winning team: Joe Oakton, (C), Sam Topping, and Dylan Amin”


MTSThis Week

British Physics Olympiad Tom Compton has achieved a Silver Award in the fi nal round of the British Physics Olympiad. This is a tremendous achievement. Tom is already in the top 50 in the country and only just missed out on selection for the national team. This follows his success in the Cambridge University Chemistry Challenge last summer, when Tom placed as one of the best 25 young chemists in the UK. Many congratulations, Tom!


MTSThis WeekDrachmas or DenariiThese are the coins that our Third Form Latinists made out of silver before half term; they have been returned from the kiln!


MTSThis Week


MTSThis Week

Boys through to fi nal of National Schools Competition Congratulations to Dhillon Nathwani, Kieran Patel, and Prahalad Prasad who all came in the top ten in the London and Home Counties Regional leg of the The National Schools’ Challenge and will now attend the National Final in Birmingham on 13 March.

The competition is run by Target Jobs and off ers students the chance to benchmark themselves against thousands of students from schools and colleges in the region and across the UK. Each of the 10 regions across the UK is sponsored by a major company (Skanska, in our case)


MTSThis WeekDetroit going down – Dubai through the roof!Since January, geographers from the Upper Sixth have been learning about cities as part of their extension programme. To date, they have: examined their favourite cities; considered the purpose of cities; analysed the decline of deindustrialised cities such as Detroit and examined the rise and resurgence of new cities, such as Kabul. This week, Louis Rose, Kiran Mistry, Ben Gordon, Paul Smith, Jasper Kurek-Smith and Charles Forth (nearly all of whom will be studying Geography at university next year) compiled a Wordle to summarise geographical themes relating to the city topic. The group also analysed a range of contrasting Geography Review articles to draw out some interesting ‘facts of the day’ about cities:

• Shanghai’s average growth rate has been over 12% for the past 17 years

• Johannesburg grew rapidly from the discovery of gold in 1886

• Dubai’s 6 desalinisation plants produce 1,250 million litres of water a day

• Dubai’s population has doubled in the last 15 years

• This year, it is expected that the population of 258 cities will exceed 1 million.


MTSThis WeekRapping their way to internet safetyOn Tuesday, the U3rds and 4ths were treated to a visit from Misunderstood, a rap group out of the Brit Academy. The duo performed music and dances for the boys and spread an important message about internet safety. The boys really enjoyed the visit and were involved in a 4-way dance-off ! We hope to welcome Misunderstood back to MTS next year.


MTSThis Week


MTSThis WeekComment draguer: French Speed Dating33 Fourth Formers visited Northwood College this week as part of a joint initiative between the two Modern Languages Departments to improve the pupils’ colloquial French. A meet and greet carousel took place under the general rubric of “speed dating”, and little more needs to be said in terms of explaining how motivated the boys were to do well!


MTSThis Week


MTSThis WeekCareers: Home and AbroadOur thanks go to two organizations that have recently come to school to support our Careers Service.

Just before half term, Giles Geeson from Celegne visited us to present on the outstanding Paid Internship Opportunities opportunites the company off ers. U6th students interested in gaining experience in science, fi nance, management and marketing were a receptive audience; such opportunities signifi cantly enhance our students’ employability skills and CVs.

Also many thanks to Captain Matt Snook of the Royal Navy who joined us before half term to talk with individual students who wanted to fi nd out more about a career in the navy, and for Higher Education sponsorship; the boys were both impressed and impressive, and gained a lot from these meetings.


MTSThis Week


MTSThis WeekDesign CentreThe fi rst photograph from inside the new building!


MTSThis WeekDenis Ogan: School MasterIt is with great sadness that we have to inform the Merchant Taylors’ community, and particularly OMTs, that much-loved teacher, Denis Ogan, whom all who attended the school in the 60s, 70s and 80s will remember, died in his sleep towards the end of January.

Denis was an outstanding teacher who inspired a generation of modern linguists and spent his entire teaching career at Taylors’, teaching Modern Languages, becoming (what was then called) Head of the Modern Side and then serving as Second Master until his retirement in 1988. From managing theatre trips to running the Navy section, from coaching the cricket and hockey teams to being master-in-charge of exams, from serving as French teacher to serving as Second Master, he gave an incalculable amount to the school.

Himself a pupil at City of London, where he had been captain of cricket and hockey, and a graduate of St John’s, Oxford (and soccer blue) Denis was a superb sportsman, an excellent linguist, and an anecdotist nonpareil, whose knowledge of French language and scholarship in matters of francophone culture, and above all literature (his fi rst love) was truly distinguished.

Denis took over from Arnold Pilkington as Chief Languages Master, in 1970, and led his department from the front, providing support and wise counsel when needed, and encouraging every teacher to develop their our own individual style without excessive interference or any sense of a party line. The results were outstanding, and whilst the numbers taking A level languages were sinking in the rest of the country, Modern Languages at Taylors went from strength to strength.

As Second Master from 1981-8, Denis had a grasp of the intricate workings of school life that was second-to-none, and kept the school running smoothly with an absolute minimum of fuss. A connoisseur of words and a master of diplomacy, Denis had always the phrase to re-establish good sense and good humour when

most needed. His warm humour and benevolent mimicry were a source of much pleasure, and with Denis a score of unforgettable voices left the school, some of whom had actually moved on twenty years or more previously.

Old Boys have taken to social networks, off ering their own poignant tributes: “A superbly stylish man and very enthusiastic on the sports fi eld (where I spent most of my time) as a rugby and cricket coach. His soccer pedigree also made him a distinctly imposing opponent in the annual Quad tournament -- Great memories!”

Michael Morley, Chief Executive, Coutts & Co, writes, “Very sorry to hear this. Taught me from the Third Form all the way up to the Upper Sixth. One of the best, most down to earth teachers I had and inspired my love of languages. Utterly unfl appable, debonair – unmatchable eyebrows. One of the great teachers in the Brian Rees (Head Master) period during what John Steane (Head of English) referred to as ‘Springtime at Merchant Taylors’’.”

Any OMT wishing to send in any memories or tributes, please contact the [email protected]


MTSTripsSpanish ExchangeOver half term, from the 15th to the 23rd February, nine pupils visited the Spanish cities of Merida, Almendralejo, Seville and Zafra on the annual Villafranca exchange trip. The boys had a fantastic time, visiting amongst other major sites: the great Roman Amphitheatre and amazing Roman museum at Merida; the ancient Iberian capital of the Roman province of Lusitania, Emerita Augusta; Italica, hometown of the Roman emperor Trajan; and the beautiful castle of Zafra, now a very luxurious Parador, where Hernán Cortés planned his conquest of the New World. They also took part in Carnival! Read what the boys thought about the trip below:

“This year, we went to Badajoz in Extremadura, Spain to experience an enriching and fulfi lling trip- one that would help us not only learn and improve our spoken Spanish, but would also give us an insight into the lifestyle of people from a country with a vast and interesting culture.

Our Spanish host families were very warm and welcoming, and we discovered how endearing it was to be called, ‘ingles’ and ‘guapo’ all through our trip, as our hosts used such light-hearted nicknames as a way of expressing their happiness to see us”.

Arriving in Spain, we almost immediately joined the celebrations of the traditional, unique and unforgettable festival of ‘El Carnival’ in which we and our exchange partners dressed up in colourful zany costumes, whilst we socialised and walked from place to place chatting with passers by on the streets.

During the trip, we managed to try the fantastic Spanish dished

such as paella, as well as, a wide array of exquisite seafood. We also engaged in group activities such as rock climbing, archery and paintballing, as well as visiting museums and an ancient Roman amphitheatre. We also attended the school in which our exchange partners studied. It was Roman Catholic, with a very diff erent system to ours.

We also travelled to the beautiful town of Sevilla, which was fi lled with beautiful statues and buildings, but also had a modern atmosphere and was bustling with tourists and fi lled with designer shops and energy.

We also discovered how family-oriented the Spanish are, with big family get-togethers being routine. Thank you very much to Miss Broncano and Miss Castro for supporting us and encouraging us to take part in this incredible activity-fi lled trip and also for looking after us so well in Spain – also to our Spanish host families for making it a comfortable and fulfi lling journey”. Prinay Shah

“The Spanish Exchange was one of the best experiences of my life and I made lots of new friends as well. We were dragged out of bed at 4 in the morning and fl ew out to Lisbon before we took a coach to the school, where we met our exchange families. We visited many interesting places such as Merida, Sevilla and Zafra. My favourite day was the second, where we went to the Carnival. There was a huge street party and we had a great time. I made lots of new friends whom I hope to see in the summer”. Tejan Patel

“The Exchange was probably one of my favorite trips. We visited lots of interested places and got to take part in many Spanish traditions during our trip, most notably the carnival where we got to dress up and dance around the city. The family was very open and welcoming and by the end of the trip, it felt like you were leaving your second family. We got to experience a completely diff erent culture which we otherwise would have never been able to experience. The language barrier proved to be a bit funny especially when translations got completely mixed up and you ended up saying a very diff erent line! I would never swap this week of my life for anything and would love to go again”. Rutvik Patel

“I would like to thank you for organising the Spanish Exchange as I had a wonderful time and I hope to go again. My favourite experience was probably either playing football at the Sports Centreand also going to Sevilla. We also went to Merida, Zafra and Caceres which were very interesting and I will defi nitely keep in touch with all the Spanish exchange students. The Carnival was an especial a highlight as we all dressed up as French mime characters from the Commedia dell’Arte – Pierrots, and so on – and it was very enjoyable”. Rish Patel


MTSTrips


Such friendship is not touched by death’s disaster MTS boys help Merchant Taylors’ Company remember their liverymen who lost their lives in the First World WarMTS boys performed a starring role in the memorial concert at Merchant Taylors’ Hall, Threadneedle Street. The Hall had been beautifully festooned with pressed flowers to represent Flanders Fields, forming a powerful and poignant backdrop for an evening of moving beauty and solemn, fitting grace. The MTS piano quartet (Aaron Rozanski – violin, Joe Savage – violin, Xavier Stavrou-Long – cello and Nathaniel Warren Piano) gave a breathtaking performance of Edward Rushton’s striking and complex piece, ‘Combat in the Year Thousand’. Charlie Warren was beautifully composed in his reading of Isaac Rosenberg’s poem, ‘Returning, We Hear the Larks’ (bringing a tear to the

eye of our Head Master in the process) and simply masterful in making the familiar sonnet by Rupert Brooke, ‘The Soldier’, ring new and true again for everyone at the Hall. Credit must also be given to Deputy Head Boy of St John’s (and MTS new boy from September 2015) Joe Rich, who read Siegfried Sassoon’s ‘Before the Battle’ with lyrical intensity and sensitivity. Master of the Company, Mr Peter Watkins OMT was delighted with all the performers and said ‘your pupils are all stars and their performances were simply fantastic and I am running out of superlatives to describe them.’


MTSSocietiesJunior GeographyThis week, Junior Geography Society considered last year’s Royal Geographical Society competition question, ‘What does Geography mean to you?’. Boys approached this from a variety of perspectives - for instance, Luca Braddock and Ethan Lawes considered their journey to school; Connor Berrecloth refl ected on the geographical links to his Japanese heritage; and Radhey Patel considered a wider range of geographical links including sport, landforms and weather. Junior Geography Society meets weekly in GY9; pop along next week if you are interested in sharks, turtles, diving or coral reefs...


MTSArtSixth Form Art ScholarsSixth Form Art Scholars have been teaching our Third and Fourth Form Art Scholars in a series of workshop-based activities after school.


MTSArt


MTSMusic

Music at MTS Spring TermSaturday 28th February

Serenaders’ Pub Quiz and Curry NightDining Hall, 7:00pm

Monday 2nd MarchMerchant Taylors’ Hall ConcertMerchant Taylors’ Hall, 6:45pm

Wednesday 11th MarchChamber Music Concert

Recital Hall, 7:30pm

Friday 13th MarchPrep Schools’ Instrumental Day Concert

Great Hall, 6:00pm

Monday 23rd MarchMerchant Taylors’ St. Helen’s Choral Society

and Orchestra ConcertGreat Hall, 7:30pm

Tuesday 31st MarchDuet Philharmonic Orchestra Concert

Royal Festival Hall, 7:30pm (tickets required)

Choral Society...new members welcome!Choir Parents and existing Choral Society members

This year’s Joint Concert is on Monday 23 March, why don’t you join The Choral Society this term?


Choir Parents and existing Choral Society members


MTSParent 2 Parent

TOMORROW


Choir Parents and existing Choral Society members


MTSOMTsOMTsNice to see the maestro’s infl uence lingers on, as OMT Jack Engelberg, now an undergraduate, has put on a production of ‘17’ written by MTS Director of Drama, Dameon Garnett. The show played in Bristol on 26th and 27th February at Hamilton House, the epicentre of Bristol’s “edge”.


MTSSportSupport the boys tomorrow!

28th FebruaryRugby Match with Regiment marks OMTs who fell in The Great War

Hockey v Watford Home:

2nd, 15A KO 9.30

Away:1st KO 9.00

3rd KO 10.3014A KO 12.00

Hockey v St Benedict’sHome:

4th, 15C KO 11.0014C KO 12.30

Rugby v BerkhamstedAway:

13A, B, C, D KO 10.30


MTSSportA reduced fixture list with half term and the weather…. We kick off again in earnest tomorrow!

VS Harrow Won 1 Drew 1

U15 A Drew 3-3

After last year’s hotly-contested match against Harrow, the U15A was seeking revenge against their old foe. The game definitely lived up to its billing, starting at a high tempo, with both teams threatening the goal and trying to impose themselves and great work in midfield leading to fantastic interplay that would have led to several goals had it not been for the stoic defence of both teams.

It was Harrow who drew first blood, breaking the deadlock after a great run form their Inside left drew in two, then three of the defence, before he bypassed them with a pass to the waiting forward who duly converted the chance. Taylors hit back hard and, with half time approaching it was only superb goalkeeping from the Harrow keeper that prevented the score line form changing.

0-1 Half time

A rousing team talk from Mr Foot revitalised the team who entered the pitch for the second half full of determination. The boys were now playing on another level, full pressing at every opportunity, and going man on man across the pitch. This was too much for Harrow and the equalizer came through Olly Carter who took the ball round the last defender and smashed the ball home into the bottom left corner.

The onslaught was relentless from the MTS boys as we continued to press forward. This was duly rewarded with a second goal coming courtesy of Loftus who calmly finished a well-worked move.

2-1.

MTS continued to pile on the pressure but then Harrow equalized with a counter attack against the run of play goal. 2-2.

MTS responded almost immediately through Reddy who slotted home to put us in the lead with 5 minutes remaining. 3-2.

With the final whistle minutes away it was another great move through the Harrow Inside forward that would break MTS hearts and salvage the draw for his team. 3-3.

With moments left in the game MTS had a number of chances to win it but sadly the ball seemed destined to pass by the other side of the post and the game finished 3-3.

This was a superb game of hockey, with both teams dominating for long spells, and one which showed the potential of this U15A team, given the strength of the Harrow side.

Man of the match was a close call -- Carter or Richards? On the final vote Olly Carter took the honours in this MTS vs Harrow 3-3 thriller.

U15 B Won 2-0

Goal scorers - Ashley Patel; Dom Cherry

On a wet and blustery afternoon, MTS hosted Harrow for the local derby. Although the first 5 minutes were rather pedestrian, both teams began to find their feet and get back into the swing of things after the half term layoff.

It was MTS who struck first with fine play up the right hand side, which allowed Ashley Patel to score the game’s first goal. Shortly after, Dom Cherry showed great composure in the D under pressure from the Harrow keeper (who was diving around like a spawning salmon) and managed to flick the ball into the back of the net to put us two up.

Harrow must have had a rousing team talk as they came out for the second half much stronger and more resolute, while MTS got a little sloppy at times and let them attack too often. However, a steely resolve in defence kept the score at 2-0 for the remainder of the game.

Man of the Match Joe Burling

Hockey


MTSSport

OMT Colts Cricket Club

Elite Academy training

Dates

Every Thursday 1700-1830

Location

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


MTSSport

OMT Hockey Cup (22th March 2015)

OMT 1st XI vs. MTS 1st XI (14:30) OMT 2nd XI vs. MTS 2nd and staff team (12:45)

On the 28th March 2015 the OMT Hockey Club will be hosting the Merchant Taylors’ 1st and 2nd team. These will be two matches that promise to be competitive and high paced, so please do come down and watch. First up will be the hotly anticipated OMT 2nd team vs the MTS 2nd team plus staff. This match will really set the tone for the day and get the juices flowing for the 1st team clash that will take place at 14:00. The clubhouse will be open before match one so make every effort to get down early before the hockey begins. The main event promises to a high level game with the MTS 1st team looking strong throughout the year. The OMT 1st team will be brining back past players and set to be a strong outfit come the 28th March. Mr Alexander will be playing on the MTS 1st team side to add some experience to the strong looking outfit. OMT clinched the win last year against an MTS 1st team that narrowly missed out on an unbeaten season, losing the one game out of their 11 matches. This years team sees inform flicker Savraj Lotta put away 14 goals this season and is one of the MTS teams players to watch at the event. For OMT Rhodri Jones, last years MTS captain will make a return and as a strong mid-field presence be the key OMT player to watch. The post match reception will be held in the OMT Clubhouse prior to the event.

Hot Drinks etc. provide by The Strikers during the matches.

3.45 -6.00 PM. Post match reception (food and drinks) and awards ceremony

in The OMT Society War Memorial Club House.

ALL ARE MOST WELCOME TO ATTEND – DO BRING FAMILY/FRIENDS.

PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE AND NUMBERS TO JO

AMIN, CHAIR, THE STRIKERS, BY EMAIL – [email protected] – BY NO

LATER THAN CLOSE SATURDAY 14TH MARCH

Merchant Taylors’ School Weekly Newsletter February 27 201543

MTSLooking ForwardMTS & Jetstream Tri Club Triathlon EventMerchant Taylors’ School Enterprises is delighted to be working in partnership with Jet Stream Tri Club in order to host a Triathlon event on June 14th 2015. Full information and booking details for the event can be found at http://jetstreamtri.com/MTS%20TRI%202015.html


MTSLooking Forward

scissorum february 27 2015 issue 88.indd

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