Message from the Headmaster

The first tentative forays of spring weather bring a further reminder that the year is fast moving on and that the summer’s public examinations are only a matter of weeks away. I have stressed to all those who have major examinations next term that there is no time to lose if they are to give the very best account of themselves. Not only do they all need to make the very best use of the teaching time that remains to them, but they must also be sure to forge ahead with their revision over the long Easter break. Very unusually, the summer term does not start until early May and the holiday needs to be seen as a time for revision and preparation for the challenges that the summer will bring. I would like to wish all of our pupils well for their coming encounters with the examiners. With hard work, application and self-belief, I have no doubt that some excellent results could be in store for the summer.

As well as academic work, there are a couple of major events scheduled before the end of term. We are all very much looking forward to Saturday’s Cross Foundation Show, which will combine a rich feast of performances from Grimsdell, Belmont and Mill Hill with the opportunity to raise money for some hugely worthwhile local charities. The majority of Remove pupils will then be involved either in the CCF Training Days or in the Sports Leaders event at the Gosling Sports Centre on Thursday 31 March and Friday 1 April . Those Removes not involved in either of these activities will be expected to attend School, where a full programme lessons and study periods will be provided.

Cross Foundation Charity Event: Saturday 26 March

We are delighted to announce that all three schools in the Foundation are coming together for an evening of music, dance and drama to raise funds for the following local charities and organizations: Alford House, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice and the National Autistic Society.

Pupils from all three schools will be involved in this event, which takes place in The Large (Mill Hill School) on Saturday 26th March, 2011 from 7.00pm. Refreshments will be available to purchase and throughout the evening, there will be the opportunity to learn more about the local charities and organisations we have chosen to support. Tickets are £10 each with all proceeds going towards the chosen charities. The evening also includes a top quality raffle and a silent auction of signed Red Bull F1 memorabilia and a 2008 World Cycling Championships programme signed by Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and other members of the Great Britain team.

If you have not yet ordered your tickets, please contact Nathalie Seymour direct.

Forthcoming School concert: Wednesday 30 March

The Spring Term Music Department Concert will take place next Wednesday 30th March , starting at 7.00pm. The programme is varied, with something to suit every musical taste, and features the school’s musical ensembles, with two very talented students playing solos with Chamber Orchestra providing the accompaniment. We will begin in the Chapel, where Choir will perform movements from Vivaldi’s Gloria in D and Chamber Orchestra will perform the slow movement from Vivaldi’s Cello Concerto in F, with Abraham Wallfisch-Jacobs (pictured) as soloist. We will then move to the Large in order to enjoy performances from Kwokafellas, Jazz Band, Choir, and another concerto movement – the slow movement from Beethoven’s ‘Emperor’ Piano Concerto, with Benedict Kearns as soloist. We anticipate the concert finishing at approximately 8.30pm. If you would like to reserve tickets in advance, please email nw@millhill.org.uk stating your name, the name of your son/daughter, and the number of tickets you would like.  Tickets will be held on the door and not sent out in advance.

We look forward to seeing you on this occasion.

Heroes lecture: Peter McDonough on Ralph Tubbs: Thursday 5 May

Peter McDonough presents one of the key architects of the South Bank site - Old Millhillian Ralph Tubbs.

In the second of the Heroes series of talks, Deputy Head Peter McDonough looks at the life and works of Ralph Tubbs and attempts to identify the legacy of Tubbs and his associated Festival of Britain architects and designers.

Tubbs was both a fellow of the RIBA and an OBE; his Dome of Discovery was the centrepiece of the South Bank site in 1951. The Dome established his reputation and gained him much notoriety in his lifetime.

Tickets for this lecture are free of charge so please click here to book your place.

Rising to the Challenge

As part of the developing stretch and challenge programme in the school, 4th Form students have been enjoying a varied programme of lunch time lectures this year – the 2011 Challenge Lectures!
Members of staff have volunteered to speak on subjects as diverse as ‘Hook Lines and Thinkers’, ‘Top Travel Tips’ and ‘Masterminding a Molecule!’ Each lecture ending in a challenge activity inviting students to think about or try their hand at something new.
Running on alternate Fridays, these lectures provide an opportunity for students to access exciting extra-curricular content as well as extension activities related to subject curriculum whilst also developing critical thinking, group work, communication and study skills. These successful lectures have attracted students from all sets in the year as well as the scholars, who form the core of the group. A particular highlight was a welcome visit from School Bursar Bruce Fraser who delivered a fascinating lecture entitled ‘Historical Black Swan Moments’ - a fast and furious analysis of the key moments that shaped out modern world.

In the summer term, students will deliver their own Challenge Lectures to Year 7 and 8 pupils at Belmont. Pupils have formed small lecturing teams and have really risen to the challenge. Belmontians can look forward to engaging lectures on such enigmatic subjects as ‘The World of Improvisation’, ‘Hypnotised by Advertising’ and ‘E=MC Hammer.’

In June, the group will be formally re-launched as the Sir James Murray Society with members from all year groups participating in lectures and activities all year round. We are delighted that acclaimed author and journalist Valerie Grove will be coming to speak at the society’s inauguration lunch on 17th June.
 

Millhillian achieves Distinction

Congratulations to Benedict Kearns for his outstanding achievement in gaining the Diploma of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (DipABRSM), with Distinction. The Diploma is a professional qualification, normally taken by students who are already at music college, but Benedict was just 15 at the time of the exam which makes his success all the more remarkable. Click here for the full story

Gold Medal for Swimming Champion

Emily Dean (Year 11, McClure) and the Enfield Water Polo Club team achieved a record-breaking time to claim gold in the UK Cold Water Swimming Championships, beating 65 other teams. The event, which was held at Tooting Bec Lido in January, was swum in water measuring just 3° Celsius (air temperature was down to 1°C) and contestants are not allowed to wear wetsuits! The team were presented with their medals by the Mayor of Wandsworth.  Click here for the full story

Sports Desk

Saturday 12 February
Boys’ Hockey v Bancroft: U15A (home) RESULT MHS lost 1-2
Rugby v Stowe: U14 A (away) RESULT MHS lost 5-52
Rugby v Stowe: U14 B (away) RESULT MHS lost 0-57
Rugby v Stowe: U14 C (away) RESULT MHS lost 7-27
Rugby v Stowe: U14 D (away) RESULT MHS lost 0-38
Boys’ Hockey v Bancroft: U15B (home) RESULT MHS won 6-0

Monday 14 February
Netball v St Augustine’s: U14 A (away) RESULT MHS lost 13-15
Netball v St Augustine’s: U14 B (away) RESULT MHS won 15-7

Tuesday 15 February
Boys’ Hockey v Chigwell: U15A (home) MATCH POSTPONED
Netball v Aldenham: U14B (home) MATCH CANCELLED
Netball v Aldenham: Senior 2nd (home) RESULT MHS won 28-13

Wednesday 16 February
Boys’ Hockey v Chigwell: 1st XI (home) RESULT match drawn 4-4
Boys’ Hockey v Chigwell: 2nd XI (away) RESULT MHS won 2-1
Netball v Mill Hill County: Senior 1st (away) MATCH CANCELLED

Thursday 17 February
Fives v Berkhamsted: U14 + U15 (away) RESULT match drawn 2-2

Friday 18 February
Boys Hockey v Old Boys: 1st XI (home) RESULT match drawn 2-2

Tuesday 1 March
Boys’ Hockey v Harrow: U15A (home) RESULT MHS lost 3-5
Boys’ Hockey v Harrow: U15B (away) RESULT MHS won 2-1
Fives v St Olaves: (away) MATCH CANCELLED

Wednesday 2 March
Boys’ Hockey v Watford Grammar: 1st XI (home) MATCH POSTPONED
Boys’ Hockey v Watford Grammar: 2nd XI (away) MATCH POSTPONED
Boys’ Hockey v Watford Grammar: U16 (home) MATCH POSTPONED

Thursday 3 March
Fives v Highgate: U14 + U15 (away) RESULT MHS lost 0-7
Netball v Kimbolton: U15B RESULT MHS lost 2-32

Saturday 5 March
Boys’ Hockey v Harrow: 1st XI (home) RESULT MHS lost 0-4
Boys’ Hockey v Harrow: 2nd XI (away) RESULT MHS lost 1-6

Monday 7 March
Netball v St Augustine’s: U14A (home) RESULT MHS lost 23-28
Netball v St Augustine’s: U14B (home) RESULT MHS lost 15-7

Tuesday 8 March
Boys’ Hockey v Watford Grammar: U15A (home) RESULT MHS lost 0-5
Boys’ Hockey v Watford Grammar: U15B (away) RESULT MHS won 1-0

Wednesday 9 March
Boys’ Hockey v Windsor Boys: 1st XI (home) RESULT MHS won 5-4
Boys’ Hockey v Windsor Boys: 2nd XI (away) RESULT MHS lost 1-5
Netball v Kimbolton: Senior 1st (away) RESULT MHS lost 21-32
Netball v Kimbolton: Senior 2nd (away) RESULT MHS lost 10-25
Football v Haberdashers: A (away) RESULT MHS lost 1-0
Football v Haberdashers: B (away) RESULT match drawn 2-2

Saturday 12 March
Boys’ Hockey v Kimbolton School: 2nd XI (away) RESULT MHS won 3-2
Boys’ Hockey v Kimbolton School: U15 A (home) RESULT match drawn 3-3
Rugby v The Perse: U14 A (away) RESULT MHS lost 29-24
Rugby v The Perse: U14 B (away) RESULT MHS lost 57-7
Rugby v The Perse: U14 C (away) RESULT MHS lost 7-71
Rugby v The Perse: U14 D (away) RESULT MHS lost 36-9
Fives v Harrow (away) RESULT MHS lost 1 1/2-2 1/2
Boys’ Hockey v Kimbolton School: 1st XI (away) RESULT MHS lost 1-3
Boys’ Hockey v Kimbolton School: U15 B (home) RESULT MATCH drawn 1-1

Monday 14 March
Fives v Aldenham (away) MATCH CANCELLED

Tuesday 15 March
Boys’ Hockey v Forest School: U15 B (home) RESULT MHS won 5-0

Wednesday 16 March
Netball v Highgate: Senior 1st (home) MATCH CANCELLED
Netball v Highgate: Senior 2nd (home) MATCH CANCELLED
Boys’ Hockey v Forest School: U15 A (home) RESULT MHS won 6-2

Thursday 17 March
Rugby v Hampton: U 14 A (home) RESULT MHS lost 33-21
Rugby v Hampton: U 14 B (home) RESULT MHS lost 14-37
Fives v Westminster (away) RESULT MHS won 3-0
Netball v Haileybury: Senior 1st (away) RESULT MHS won 32-25
Netball v Haileybury: Senior 2nd (away) RESULT MHS lost 10-27

Saturday 19 March
Boys’ Hockey v Forest School: 1st XI (home) RESULT MHS lost 1-2
Rugby v Uppingham: U14 A (away) RESULT MHS lost 14-10
Rugby v Uppingham: U14 B (away) RESULT MHS lost 47-7
Rugby v Uppingham: U14 C (away) RESULT MHS lost 22-42
Rugby v Uppingham: U14 D (away) RESULT MHS lost 45-0
Netball v St Edmunds: Senior 1st (away) MATCH CANCELLED
Netball v St Edmunds: Senior 2nd (away) MATCH CANCELLED
Netball v St Edmunds: U15A (away) MATCH CANCELLED
Netball v St Edmunds: U14A (away) MATCH CANCELLED
Boys’ Hockey v Forest School: 2nd XI (home) RESULT MHS won 2-1

Tuesday 22 March
Boys’ Hockey v Shiplake College: U15 A (away) RESULT MHS won 6-2
Fives v QEB (home) MATCH CANCELLED

Wednesday 23 March
Football v Mill Hill County: A (away) MATCH CANCELLED
Boys’ Hockey v Shiplake College: 1st XI (away) RESULT MHS won 4-3
Boys’ Hockey v Shiplake College: 2nd XI (away) RESULT MHS lost 0-6
Netball v City of London: Senior 1st (away) RESULT MHS won 32-12
Netball v City of London: Senior 2nd (away) RESULT MHS lost 7-32

What's coming up ...

Saturday 26 March
English Language controlled assessment for Removes ends
ALL DAY Dress Rehearsals for the Cross Foundation Charity Event
ALL DAY RAF Gliding Day (RAF Halton)
14:00 Boys’ Hockey v Eltham College: 1st XI (away) (depart 12:00)
14:00 Boys’ Hockey v Eltham College: 2nd XI (home)
14:00 Junior Inter House Netball
14:30 Rugby v The Leys: U14 A, B, C & D (home)
14:30 Football v Harrow: A & B (away) (depart 13:00)
15:00 CROSS FOUNDATION CHARITY FUNDRAISING EVENT (MATINEE) (THE LARGE)
15:15 Boys’ Hockey v Eltham College: U15 A (away) (Depart 13:00)
15:15 Boys’ Hockey v Eltham College: U15 B (home)
19:00 CROSS FOUNDATION CHARITY FUNDRAISING EVENT (THE LARGE)

Sunday 27 March
Eton Fives Championship at Eton College (until Saturday 2nd April)
13:00 Boarders’ Cooking to Impress (Ridgeway House)

Monday 28 March
ALL DAY Stretch & Challenge Day for Remove pupils (The Large)
13:00 Sixth Form Council Meeting (Chemistry Dept)
15:00 Fourth Form Inter-House Rugby Sevens
18:00-18:45 Extended Project Qualification Presentation (Physics Lab 5)

Tuesday 29 March
11:20-12:35 Five/Ten Mile Cup
13:00-13:30 Pupil Charity Committee Meeting (RS1)
14:10 Afternoon Lessons: Following timetable for Periods 4, 5 & 8
15:10 Rugby v QEB: U14 A, B, C & D (home)
18:00-18:45 Extended Project Qualification Presentation (Physics Lab 5)

Wednesday 30 March
ALL DAY Rehearsals for School Concert (L6 pupils up to 12 noon only)
08:30 Chapel: Cedars House
12:00-17:00 Lower 6th Form HE UCAS Convention (National Hall, Olympia)
13:00 MHS Charity Fundraising Committee Meeting (Crick Room)
14:30 Football v Mill Hill County: B (away) (depart 13:00)
19:00-20:30 School Concert (Chapel and The Large)

Thursday 31 March
ALL DAY Sports Leaders Event - Belmont Year 5 (10:30 – 13:30), Grimsdell (13:30 – 15:00)
08:30 Chapel: Cedars House
09:00 CCF Training for all Remove RAF and Army Cadets (depart) (return 1 April)
09:00-17:00 CCF Training Day for Remove Navy Group – Climbing at the Castle, Stoke Newington
11:30-16:30 6th Form French Exchange: Valenciennes students arrive at Mill Hill
18:00-18:45 Extended Project Qualification Presentation (Physics Lab 5)

Friday 1 April
ALL DAY Sports Leaders Trip to Gosling
08:30 Chapel: Cedars House
09:00-16:30 CCF Training Day for Remove Navy group – Power Boating at Welsh Harp
12:40 Challenge Lecture (Music Recital Hall)
18:00-18:45 Extended Project Qualification Presentation (Physics Lab 5)

Saturday 2 April
14:00 Boys’ Hockey v Merchant Taylors: 1st XI (home)
14:00 Boys’ Hockey v Merchant Taylors : U15 A & B (away) (Depart 12:35)
15:15 Boys’ Hockey v Merchant Taylors : 2nd XI (home)
1515 Boys’ Hockey v Merchant Taylors : U16 XI (away) (Depart 13:45)
19:30 Boys’ and Girls’ Hockey Dinner

Sunday 3 April
Upper 6th Form History trip to Russia departs
5th Form Spanish trip to Valencia departs
6th Form French Exchange: Valenciennes students depart Mill Hill
11:00 Boarders’ Trip (Cambridge)

Monday 4 April 
Lower 6th Art trip to New York departs 
ALL DAY Sports Leaders’ Trip to Gosling Sports Centre
4th Form & Remove German trip to Leipzig departs (return 7 April)
16:00 Boarders’ Cinema Trip (Finchley Vue)
 
Tuesday 5 April
13:00 END OF TERM
Tennis Pro Academy Coaching Programme trip to La Manga (depart) (return 9 April)

Thursday 7 April
5th Form Spanish trip to Valencia returns
4th Form & Remove German trip to Leipzig returns

Saturday 9 April
Senior Pre-Season Cricket Tour to La Manga departs (returns 13 April)
Upper 6th Form History trip to Russia returns
Lower 6th Art trip to New York returns

Thursday 21 April
 08:00-18:00 Engineering Education Scheme, Celebration and Assessment Day (University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield)