Message from the Headmaster

As you will be aware, a highly successful term ended on a very sad note as we learnt that Mrs Jinny Priestnall, a wonderfully warm, caring and supportive member of our Learning Support Department, had died after a short illness.  Mrs Priestnall was a much-loved and very highly regarded member of the Mill Hill community and our thoughts are with her husband Nick, their daughters Emily and Sophie and her family and friends at this terribly sad time.

I hope that the Christmas break is a peaceful time for you and your families, and extend my very best wishes to you all for the New Year.

Girls Hockey hit the heights

The U15 girl’s had a fantastic season only losing the single game away to the Perse School, Cambridge. During the long term all the girls worked hard aspects of their game and as a unit they became a very good hockey side. All the girls showed a level of enthusiasm and keenness that would befit a 1st XI and the dedication to training and long away trips was superb. They were a delight to be around and richly deserved the record they attained. Only the away trip to the Perse dampened the season where the girls struggled to cope with a good side after arriving late and playing on a very unfamiliar surface.  The team played some very attractive hockey going forward and the forwards and attacking midfield gained many of the accolades. However, to only concede five goals (four in one game) reflects a fine defensive effort as well and really represents accurately what a team effort this was.

Fourth Form deliver Hot Topics debate on the August Riots

On the 7th of December the Hot Topics Society hosted the inaugural 4th Form debate. To coincide with the release of the interim report from the Riots Communities and Victims Panel on the “many individual causes and motivations for the disorder between 6-10 August this year” at the end of November, the motion to be considered was “The August riots were caused by rank criminality”.
This was this year’s 4th Form’s first active involvement in the Society, but their enthusiasm in very active attendance of previous debates promised much. Defending the motion were Louis Ruocco (Weymouth) and Shaun Illan-Chelian (School), who had bravely stood in at the last minute for the unwell India Whitty (Murray), and opposing them were Carissa Drake (Cedars) and Enrico Chhibber (Murray). The opening statements from both sides were excellently presented, and clearly well-researched, with thought-provoking assertions that certainly challenged the assembled audience’s pre-existing beliefs. Louis and Shaun suggested that while there may well have been a layer of social disharmony, the eruption of violence was caused by opportunistic vandals and criminals. In contrast, Carissa and Enrico sought to demonstrate that although the escalation of protests into rioting was unacceptable, its motivation was firmly rooted in dissatisfaction with social inequality, fear of government austerity measures and desperation with economic circumstances. Probing questions from Joshua Jackson (4thForm, Ridgeway) and the ever-present Hamish Nash (L6, Murray) enlivened a debate which would ultimately end in a narrow victory for the opposition.
Many thanks to all who have attended Hot Topics this term. Subjects to be considered after the Christmas break are the Presidency of Barack Obama and the illogical nature of the English language.
Andrew Moore (Atkinson)

Saracens Training Day

The first team squad had a once in a lifetime opportunity to go and spend the day being a rugby premiership champion with the Saracens team. They were invited to go and watch the team train, have lunch with the team and then be put through their paces by the coaches. They boys were surrounded by the stars of the club with one remarking ‘It is not often that I will sit and have lunch with Charlie Hodgson.’ It must be mentioned that certain staff members seemed more star struck than the pupils! The players then got the chance to have one on one coaching from some of the best players in the business before the whole team learnt what it takes to train like a champion.

It was a fantastic insight into what it takes to be a professional sportsman, the lessons of the day seemed have been taken back to the school as the boys have grown in confidence and strive to keep improving.

Forthcoming lectures

Thursday 26th January 2012, 6:30pm
Francis Crick Lecture III
Lord Kakkar, Director, Thrombosis Research Institute, London
In the third of our Francis Crick Lectures, Lord Kakkar will be discussing his work at the institute as well as his role in the House of Lords.  His research interests are in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolic disease and cancer-associated thrombosis.

Wednsday 8th February 2012, 6:30pm
Francis Crick/UCL Lecture
Professor John Deanfield, Professor of Cardiology and Head of Cardiovascular Prevention, University College London presents ‘Can we prevent Heart Disease? Investing in your arteries’
Professor Deanfield's lecture will focus on the fact that heart disease is still the major cause of death in the population despite all of our efforts at treating it.  He will discuss the evidence of disease in children and young adults - and what we need to be doing to tackle it!

Both lectures will take place in the Patrick Troughton Theatre.

To reserve complimentary tickets for any of the above lectures please CLICK HERE