News
Young Old Millhillians Going Places
Harry MellingHarry Melling (McClure 2007)
On Friday night I had the great pleasure to watch Old Millhillian Harry Melling acting alongside the wonderful Simon Russell Beale in a revival of Harold Pinter’s dark comedy, The Hothouse. The farce-like production is set in a state-run sanatorium and investigates the issues of government control and state-approved torture. The play has had excellent reviews, with Henry Hitchens, writing in the Evening Standard, particularly praising Harry’s performance, saying, ‘Harry Melling is excellent’ and calling his performance ‘one of the production’s great pleasures’. The production runs until 3rd August.
Jack Weller (Weymouth 2011)
Jack, studying Classics at Cambridge, has just won a major prize for Greek and has been awarded a half-blue for Fives.
Joanna BattyJoanna Batty (Atkinson 2011)
Jo has recently won a silver for her Tango bottle design at the Starpack student awards. Starpack are working on behalf of Britvic to design a new Tango bottle for next year.
To view her design and for more details please visit their website.
Matthew Stubbs (Priestley 2005)
Matthew graduated from St Bartholomew's Hospital and the London/QMC with a triple first and the Principals Award for the highest academic achievement of his year; circa 400 students. He obtained an academic F1 position at London North Deanery (one of only 2 academic posts allocated in the year and the only one to a London deanery). He has just started his third F1 station, being anaesthetics at Barnet Hospital. He will then spend the following three stations at the Royal Free.
Peter McDonough (Deputy Head)
A Storming Start to the Cricket Season
Saturday 11th May saw another amazing cricket day for the School with all our teams playing John Lyon either home or away. The 1st XI played superbly with a very disciplined batting display from Benedict Relf (83) and Will Harley (49) putting on over 100 for the second wicket. Mill Hill ended up with 161 off 35 overs. Although John Lyon were 70 for 1 at one stage, once the spinners came on the match changed dramatically and we bowled them out for 105 with Tom Harley taking 6 for 30.
The 2nd XI had a very dominant win away from home, winning by 7 wickets. The U14As won by 9 wickets and the 14Bs scored a very impressive 198 off 25 overs (Jamie Stewart unbeaten on 79).
The closest game however was the U15As. They won by 22 runs having scored 88 all out and bowled John Lyon out for 66.
This success comes off back-to-back wins against Latymer Upper, Highgate and UCS for most of our teams, the only exception being the U15B loss against Highgate on the first day of the season.
Mill Hill School Combined Cadet Force Annual General Inspection
Captain Philp WilsonThe School’s Combined Cadet Force held its Annual General Inspection on Wednesday 1st May 2013.
The Reviewing Officer was Old Millhillian Captain Philip Wilson AAC (McClure 2003) who was welcomed to the School by the contingent’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Dominic Luckett. The Newcastle Drill Competition was judged by Warrant Officer (RSM) Fritz Albrecht. Due to the excellent weather, the parade took place as planned on the Quad with guests from both Mill Hill and Mill Hill County High Schools.
Turnout for the Newcastle Competition was high with 11 teams taking part. The Newcastle Shield was won by the Ridgeway House squad ably led by Cadet Joshua Jackson. This is a particularly significant achievement as the last time Ridgway won was 1962. Leading Hand Holly Gibbons was awarded best squad leader.
Newcastle Winners – Ridgeway House
Dr Dominic Luckett with the RAF SectionThe final parade was of an impressive standard. Both the victorious Newcastle squad and the Corps of Drums delivered accurate and thoroughly entertaining marching displays and the Corps of Drums ended their musical performance with a superbly crisp routine. Captain Wilson was visibly impressed and warmly congratulated all the cadets upon their performance as he addressed the contingent at the end of the parade.
Afternoon activities were undertaken by the Army, Navy and RAF sections and included shooting, rope work, first aid, chart work, flight simulator, mast assembly, field craft, canoeing, skill at arms and Bosun rigging. The activities were mostly planned and conducted by cadets and all were delivered to a high standard.
In addition, a march and shoot competition took place involving nine teams. This comprised of a one mile lap of the School followed by a grouping shoot in the indoor range. The competition was thoroughly enjoyable for spectators and the effort delivered in the march and the standard of shooting by team members were commendable. The competition was won by the McClure House team closely followed by Murray and Ridgeway.
Best Cadet Holly Gibbons, School House and Newcastle Comp Winner Joshua Jackson, Ridgeway House
This year’s AGI was hugely successful and portrayed the Contingent in a very positive light. Such an excellent outcome would not have been possible without the support of those many parents and staff who helped ensure the delivery of such a high quality and rewarding event. We are extremely grateful to the cadets, staff and parents for their hard work and support, and to the inspection parties for their time, care and genuine interest in our contingent.
Major Anthony Norrington
Charity Committee Trip to Capital FM
On Wednesday the 8th May, four members of the charity committee were invited into central London to visit Capital Radio to learn about the Help A Capital Child Project which is supported by the radio station. While enjoying some nibbles and looking out over a fantastic view of Nelson’s column from the 6th floor, we learnt about some of the amazing things that the charity does for some of the children with the most challenging lives in London, as well as meeting some of the children themselves. We were blown away by the drive that they had, as well as the immense pride that their parents showed for their children. To finish off we had the privilege of being shown around the Capital offices and were even lucky enough to see Greg Burns broadcasting his afternoon show! We all enjoyed ourselves immensely and thank both Capital Radio for inviting us, and Mrs Sanchez for choosing us to go along with her.
Mill Hill School Charity Committee
Crick Dinner
Saturday 8th June 2013, 7:30pm
Mill Hill School
Old Millhillian, Francis Crick (Ridgeway, 1930-34) pictured, was a molecular biologist, physicist, and neuroscientist. He was one of the discoverers of the structure of DNA in 1953, following which he, James D. Watson and Maurice Wilkins were jointly awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine.
The inaugural Crick Dinner is to be the highlight of our celebration of Mill Hill’s most famous scientific alumnus and his contribution to scientific discovery. It will also highlight the investment the Mill Hill School Foundation is making in its science provision as demonstrated by the refurbishment of the Science Building at Mill Hill, a new building including state-of-the-art labs at Belmont, our Prep School, and the dedicated A Better Chance fund which supports a Sixth Former wanting to do medicine at university. Part of the ticket price will go towards this fund.
The main guest speaker at the dinner will be Professor Jim Smith FRS, Director of the National Institute for Medical Research. We will also be joined by other distinguished individuals with strong Crick connections.
Tickets are £70 per head. If you are interested in attending, please contact Karen Willetts on 020 8906 7865 or kw@millhill.org.uk or complete and return the reply form.
We look forward to seeing you then.
Young Old Millhillian Wins National Prize
The School are delighted to announce that Ella Jakubowska (Cedars 2010) has recently been announced as Female Undergraduate of the Year (sponsored by Rolls Royce) at the 2013 TARGETjobs Undergraduate of the Year competition.
The winners were announced by Sir Trevor McDonald at a glittering ceremony in Canary Wharf, London. There were 1,100 applicants in this competition where students climbed mountains, set up businesses, won numerous other awards and raised thousands of pounds for charity.
The Undergraduates of the Year come from degree backgrounds ranging from anthropology to chemistry and from universities from Glasgow to Exeter.
Ella is studying English Language and Literature at the University of Leeds and at 18, she became one of the youngest organizers of Crisis at Christmas homeless shelters. She is a qualified RAF Lance Corporal and Non-Commissioned Officer and has volunteered as a drama co-ordinator for children from disadvantaged backgrounds and swimming teacher for children with autism.
Her prize is a ten-week paid summer placement with Rolls-Royce, an opportunity to shadow a senior female manager for a day, and an Apple iPad.
Ella is in the front row, third from left
French Debating Competition
On Wednesday 20th March 2013 the French Department at Mill Hill School hosted its first inter-schools debating competition. Schools came from far and wide to take part in this inaugural event that we intend to keep going for quite some time. Our pupils had to debate some very complex ideas in French and faced some very stiff competition indeed. Our two pairs were Naomi Kendal and Thomas Levy as well as Omar Ahmed and Nikita Anosov. Whilst neither pair reached the semi-final, it is certainly worth noting their triumphant effort in the face of some very stiff competition. In the initial stages of the debate, our pupils had to debate France’s ecological policy in relation to the TGV and nuclear energy, the legalisation of Euthanasia as well as the EU being the scapegoat for the problems that we face in contemporary society. It was a marvellous opportunity for our students to use their linguistic capability in such manner and was testament to their commitment and academic rigour. The semi-final motion was about affording equal rights to homosexual couples whilst a very tense final between City of London Boys’ School and Haberdasher’s Boys’ School centred itself on the motion that London is no longer a symbol of or for Great Britain. The boys in the final were superb ambassadors for their schools and the quality of their arguments in combination with the quality of their French, made it a pleasure to watch. Finally, I would like to thank the pupils and staff that attended the event and I think it was an excellent venture.
Chris Lowe, Head of French
Old Millhillians Feature on Royal Mail Stamps
Available to purchase now are stamps commemorating the life and achievements of two Old Millhillians.
Pioneer radio and television journalist Richard Dimbleby is featured as one of the Great Britons series.
Patrick Troughton appears as part of the Doctor Who 50th anniversary set.
Fives Success
At the National School’s Championship at Shrewsbury in March the School’s 1st pair of Alex Holmes (Priestley) and Henry Goode (Cedars) got though their group matches with ease but then came up against a strong 1st pair from St Olaves. However they went on to win the Senior Plate competition.
An U14 1st pair consisting of Harry Rapley (Atkinson) and Charlie Plummer (Belmont) reached the last 16 having cruised through the group stages and beaten a Highgate pair in the next round. They eventually lost to a physically strong 1st pair from Rydal Penrhos. The U14 3rd pair consisting of Benedict Balcombe (Priestley) and Dita Jaja (Belmont) won the U14 Plate competition.
Priestley Housemaster, Steve Plummer (pictured), was recently voted “Coach of the Year” by the Eton Fives community and the Old Millhillians were voted “Team of the Year”. Well done to all concerned.
‘Strictly Mill Hill’ Report
On 16th March, the three Foundation Schools joined forces for a charity dance competition ‘Strictly Mill Hill’ to raise funds for Wednesday’s Child (Grimsdell), Fair Play Barnet project (Belmont) and The Newman Holiday Trust (Mill Hill).
Grimsdell performance ay Strictly
The event was watched by an audience of over 450. Sixteen staff and parent competitors danced with their professional coaches in front of an expert panel.
The winners on the night were Mrs Bradley dancing the Rumba and audience choice was Mrs Falconer dancing the jive.
It was a memorable evening with significant amounts raised for the three charities.
Audience winner Mrs Falconer with expert panel
Grimsdell Teaching Project 2013
Pupils in the Lower Sixth were given the opportunity to help retain the Eco Schools’ Green Flag Award this year by contributing to the Grimsdell teaching project.
This is the seventh year that this initiative has run and we were very excited to be taking part. Between November and January, small groups of three or four Lower Sixth Form pupils grasped the challenge of planning lessons on Energy which they delivered to Reception, Year one and Year two children in February.
Our aim was to teach the pupils about the importance of renewable energy sources as well as how everyone can save energy. We did this innovatively by developing fun activities, such as building mini wind turbines out of paper to show how real wind turbines give energy or designing stickers to place above light switches to remind their families to save energy. The lessons lasted 30 minutes with each session filled with new and interesting activities; what was most gratifying was that both the Mill Hill pupils learnt just as much as the Grimsdell pupils did! We delivered two lessons to the same class so we got to know the pupils very well, which was great.
After both lessons have been given, Sophie Park, Yasmin Powe and Molly Duncan led an assembly for Grimsdell pupils to present certificates for everyone who took part and Eco prizes to each of the classes we taught. Overall after teaching about sustainable energy to the pupils of Grimsdell, we’ve enjoyed the experience and hope to do it again soon.
Ploy Ong (School House – Lower Sixth)
Sporting News
Alex Conn & Sophia DunkleyWe are delighted to report that Sophia Dunkley has been included in the Middlesex County Cricket squads at U15, U19 and Senior Women’s levels. Sophia is also part of the England U15 development programme. These are all significant achievements and we wish her well in the coming season.
Lauren Abrahams, Alex Conn and Georgia Green have been selected to represent Great Britain in the forthcoming Maccabiah Games in Israel.
Sadly, an injury means that it is unlikely that Georgia will compete. However, we wish Lauren well in the netball competition and Alex every success as part of Great Britain’s rugby team.
Benedict Kearns
Benedict Kearns (Weymouth House) has recently gained his LRSM in piano. Performing music by Bach, Haydn and Messiaen, he was delighted to learn that he passed his diploma with distinction. Benedict also won the Farrow cup at the Farrow Singing Competition performing music by Mozart and Herbert Howells. Benedict is planning on reading music at Kings College Cambridge where he will also audition to become a choral scholar. We are delighted to see Benedict following in the footsteps of Ben Glassberg (McClure House 2008-2012) who is likewise reading music at Cambridge University.
Recently heard on BBC 3 singing the solo in the Choral Evensong broadcast for Ash Wednesday performed by the choir of St John’s College Cambridge was Michael Tuft. Michael is an accomplished singer, pianist and trombonist and has been awarded the Helmore Music Scholarship.
The Helmore Music Scholarships are named in honour of the Helmore Brothers who were pupils at Mill Hill in the Victorian Era. The brothers were gifted musicians. The eldest brother, Thomas, was the Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal and Frederick was Choirmaster to the Prince Consort.
Cross-Foundation Quiz Night
EVENT POSTPONED
Saturday 18th May 2013, 7:00pm
The Large, Mill Hill School
Ready to challenge the teachers again?
The first Quiz Night in 2012 raised £4,000, a fantastic result. Tables are now waiting to be filled for another exciting and enjoyable event. The evening will include a raffle and an auction and once again we hope to be joined by a celebrity quizmaster.
Tickets cost £25 each (includes buffet dinner, soft drinks and cheeseboard) or £225 for a table of 10. There will be a cash bar for wine and bottled beer.
‘Strictly’ Mill Hill
Saturday 16th March 2013, 7:00pm
Mill Hill School Sports Hall
The three Foundation Schools are joining forces for a charity dance competition ‘Strictly Mill Hill’ to raise funds for Wednesday’s Child (Grimsdell), Fair Play Barnet project (Belmont) and The Newman Holiday Trust (Mill Hill).
This event will take place on Saturday 16th March and will include a dance competition ‘Strictly’ style together with dance and musical performances from pupils at Grimsdell, Belmont and Mill Hill.
Following an extremely tense and emotional ‘dance off’, the final sixteen competitors have now been chosen by professional judges and representing the staff of Mill Hill and Belmont will be Mr Morton, Miss Bignell, Mrs Bradley, Mrs Logan, Mrs Willetts (all Mill Hill) and Mrs Falconer (Belmont). Competing alongside the staff will be ten of our intrepid parents.
This promises to be a closely fought competition with no holds barred! Tickets can now be purchased through forms available in all three Schools’ offices or you can download one from this website.
Tickets are now sold out. All those attending must to bring their tickets to gain entry. No ticket, no admission!
Not able to join us? You can still support the evening by placing an advert in the programme or by donate a raffle prize. Please contact Jane Hind at Mill Hill School for further details.
1st XV Play First Match at New Saracens Stadium – Allianz Park
Mill Hill School were lucky enough to play the first competitive match against Watford Grammar School at the new Saracens stadium – Allianz Park – on Saturday 19th January and, in the process create a little bit of history.
The test event, which was attended by supporters from both schools along with Saracens chairman and Old Millhillian, Nigel Wray, who saw the two schools clash at the unique community sports hub.
While other pitches and grounds around the country struggled to play matches in the ice and snow, the artificial turf pitch at Allianz Park offered a fantastic playing surface for the two schools.
It was an extremely closely fought match with both sides looking close to scoring in the first half. Watford finally crossed the line in the second half, but Mill Hill leveled late in the game with fly half and 1st XV captain, Oli Avent breaking through the Watford defence for the touch-down. He converted his own try to make it 7-7. Watford Grammar did manage to squeeze in a last minute try which was converted, winning 14-7.
It was a great occasion that was enjoyed by all and I’m sure will never be forgotten by all those that played.
Pre-Season Netball Training
The Senior Girls had a promising start to the term with a pre-season Netball Training Session lead by England player Lindsay Keable. The squad of talented and enthusiastic girls were treated to a number of dynamic and skilful drills, some of which Lindsay has learnt whilst playing for England. Lindsay was selected to play for England at the age of 17 and was then selected for England Under 21 squad who competed in the World Youth Championships in 2009 where they came 4th in the world. In 2010 she was honoured to be selected for the National Squad and since then has competed in a number of test matches.
Lindsay offered some very helpful words of advice and introduced some new practices that will be very beneficial to our training. Hopefully this will give us the upper hand for the start of what we hope to be a very successful season.
Natalia Webster, 1st VII Captain
Our Country’s Good
Rehearsals are now well under way for the School Play, ‘Our Country’s Good’ that will be performed in the Patrick Troughton Theatre on February 6th, 7th and 8th at 7.00pm. This play is a fascinating history of the lives of the first convicts to be taken to Australia and the awful conditions in which they found themselves for committing such crimes as stealing a loaf of bread or rustling a sheep. Tickets are £5.00 in aid of our partner Ethiopian drama group that works in Addis Ababa. You can book them by email at kw@millhill.org.uk (giving your name, pupil name, roll number and whether you want to pay by cheque or through School bill) or directly from Karen Willetts at the school’s Admissions Office (t: 020 8906 7865). Don’t miss this fascinating and moving play.
This film shows examples of work done at all levels in the Drama Department.