Message from the Headmaster

As our Fifth and Lower Sixth Formers prepare to head off on study leave, and the Upper Sixth embark upon their final weeks in the School, I would like to wish each one of them every success in their forthcoming examinations. They have devoted truly impressive amounts of time and effort to their work and revision, and I hope that the examiners are suitably impressed by what they see. They will certainly carry with them my best wishes for successful outcomes in August. Meanwhile, plenty of other good things are on the horizon as the term unfolds. The CCF, fresh from this week’s Annual General Inspection, is preparing to celebrate its centenary and next month we will be formally opening the School’s new golf facilities. For the musically inclined, both the Youth Orchestra concert and the Opera Society event in June should be real treats and I hope that as many parents as possible will be able to add these dates to their diaries. For families of the Upper Sixth leavers, meanwhile, the morning of Wednesday 25 May sees the Valedictory Service at which we bid a formal farewell to those about to take their leave of the School. The service is one of the most poignant occasions in our calendar, and it would be good to be joined by as many parents as possible as we celebrate the many achievements and contributions of this superb year group.

CCF AGI

Despite cloudy conditions, the rain held off for another year during our Annual General Inspection.  Lieutenant Colonel John Powell from Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment conducted the inspection of over 170 CCF cadets, taking time to talk to many of the pupils and staff involved.

The event culminated in the winning Newcastle display by Priestley House and a demonstration by the Corps of Drums.  Even a local Spitfire aircraft joined the event in a most timely fashion!

2011 sees the Centenary of the CCF and a commemorative dinner is being held in June to celebrate the occasion.

Valedictory Service

On Wednesday 25 May the School bids a final farewell to the current Upper Sixth, many of whom have attended the Foundation since they were at Grimsdell.

The celebrations begin at 10.00am with a reception in the Dining Hall during which parents and guardians will have an opportunity to view a special display of leavers’ portraits that were commissioned as part of the Leavers' Yearbook. This is followed by a formal celebration in the Chapel at 10.45am during which the names of all Upper Sixth leavers are read aloud by their Housemaster or Housemistress and the School officially says farewell to the year group. This is a very special and often emotional occasion for all involved.

Finally at 12 noon the Senior Monitors will be planting a tree, as a permanent commemoration at the School of the Upper Sixth Leavers 2011 and will then release a group of doves from Top Terrace as a symbol of the year group moving on beyond Mill Hill to the next phase in their lives.

Launch of the London Golf Academy at Mill Hill School

Wednesday 8 June, from 5:30pm
Informal reception: 5:30pm
Official opening ceremony: 6:15pm
Lecture and facility demonstration: 6:45pm

BBC Radio golf commentator, Iain Carter, will be guest of honour at the forthcoming launch of the London Golf Academy at Mill Hill School.  Iain has covered many of the world's top sporting events and as well as being BBC Radio's golf correspondent, also commentates on major tennis and rugby tournaments throughout the year.

Iain will officially open our new and exciting facilities which include:

- compact outdoor golf teaching faciltiy
- state-of-the-art golf simulator
- indoor teaching suite with GASP analysis software

and will be talking to guests about the role that media and journalism play in the world of sport.

If you would like to join us for this event. please email Karen Willetts to reserve your place.

"Playing Top Field" ... London Youth Symphony Orchestra brings open air concert to Mill Hill

Thursday 23 June, 7:30pm
(doors open 6:00pm, food and refreshments available to purchase from 6:30pm)

This evening will see Mill Hill's first open air classical concert "Playing Top Field".  The London Youth Symphony Orchestra led by our own Ben Glassberg (L6 McClure) will perform five magical pieces against the backdrop of our magnificent portico, accompanied by the Mill Hill Choir.

From Top Field, guests will be able to bring their own picnic or purchase refreshments from our catering gazebos or the Charity Cafe whilst listening to a selection of classical pieces.  The 55 strong orchestra comprises our own Sixth Form pupils, 1st year music university students and Mill Hill staff.

Tickets cost £10 for adults, £5 for children aged 5 to 16 and under 5's free and proceeds from this event will support our partnerships projects in Tamil Nadu and Gambia.

To purchase tickets please email Karen Willetts.  Tickets are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!

La Manga 2011

During the Easter holidays the Mill Hill tennis team went to La Manga Tennis Club in Spain for 5 days. After an eventful flight the team settled in by watching the afternoon football and some tea. After a good nights rest we started our first group lesson with the coaches, Roberto and Carlos. For many in the group it was their first time playing on real red clay so it took a couple of minutes to get used to the new slow surface.

However people quickly started to enjoy their tennis and saw a real improvement in their game due to the world class coaching tips that were being handed out. After a tough morning tennis session, members of the group had a chance to show off their cooking skills or simply have a pizza, back in the villas. In the afternoon session when the temperature had dropped a bit, it was then that the coaches would introduce match play building on the particular skill we were working on for that day.

After a full day of tennis many looked forward to a dip in the pool but little did they realise how freezing cold it was going to be. However this didn’t dishearten some who still braved the cold temperature to refresh themselves!

Most dinners were spent in a restaurant where the food was wonderful and was in huge supply, sometimes even too much for some people.

To finish the week off the coaches organized a Davis cup tournament in which the “Hair flick” beat the "Wolverine Sparkle Elite Squadron" in a close battle with doubles and singles. On the evening of that day the whole group including the teachers were able to watch a doubles exhibition match with British Tennis professional, Elena Baltecha who currently holds a world ranking in the top 80.

On the final day the Mill Hill teachers organized a singles tournament in which 3 groups played a round robin and the winners, Sebastian Daly, Eoin Kelly and Daria Postnikova had a play off to see who was the eventual winner. After a long and close 3 matches Sebastian beat Daria in the final to become champion with Eoin in 3rd place.

In conclusion it was a wonderful trip; everybody enjoyed themselves but also conducted themselves respectfully and hopefully their tennis improved as well. Big thanks to Mrs Ward who organised everything and made the whole trip run smoothly.

Sebastian Daly (Year 10, McClure)

Millhillian shines for Harlequins

Mason Caton-Brown (Ridgeway Upper Sixth) recently played his debut game for the Harlequins U18 Academy against a Featherstone U18.  Mason played an exceptional game, so much so that he took the Man of the Match award on his very first outing for this club.  This is no mean feat and we all hope he continues to go from strength to strength.  CLICK HERE for a full match report.

MHS Opera and Ballet Society

Tickets are now on sale for two events at the English National Opera: Midsummer Night's Dream on Saturday 25th June and The Nutcracker on Saturday 10th December.

For further information and to book tickets please CLICK HERE.  Tickets are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

Sports Desk

 

Saturday 26 March
Boys’ Hockey v Eltham College: 1st XI (away): RESULT MHS lost 1-6 
Boys’ Hockey v Eltham College: 2nd XI (home): RESULT MHS lost 1-6
Rugby v The Leys: U14A (home): RESULT MHS won 22-5
Rugby v The Leys: U14B (home): RESULT Match drawn 15-15
Rugby v The Leys: U14C (home): RESULT MHS lost 12-17
Rugby v The Leys: U14D (home): RESULT Match cancelled
Football v Harrow: A (away): RESULT Match drawn 1-1
Boys’ Hockey v Eltham College: U15 A (away): RESULT: Match cancelled
Boys’ Hockey v Eltham College: U15 B (home): RESULT MHS won 3-1

Saturday 2 April
Boys’ Hockey v Merchant Taylors: 1st XI (home): RESULT Match drawn 3-3
Boys’ Hockey v Merchant Taylors : U15A (away): RESULT MHS lost 1-3
Boys’ Hockey v Merchant Taylors : U15B (away): RESULT MHS lost 1-4 
Boys’ Hockey v Merchant Taylors : 2nd XI (home): RESULT MHS lost 2-5 
Boys’ Hockey v Merchant Taylors : U16 XI (away): RESULT Match cancelled

What's on this half term ...

Saturday 14 May
5th FORM AND LOWER 6th FORM STUDY LEAVE BEGINS
FOUNDATION OPEN MORNING
AS French Oral Exams (morning only)
14:00 Cricket v John Lyon: 1st XI, U14B (home)
14:00 Cricket v John Lyon: 2nd XI, U15A, U14A (away)
14:15 Tennis v Westminster: Senior Boys, U15 & U14 (home)
14:30 Rounders v Kimbolton: 1st, 2nd, U15A & B, U14A & B (away) (depart 13:15)

Sunday 15 May
Boarders’ day trip to France
12:30-18:00 RAF Gliding Day (RAF Halton)

Monday 16 May
REMOVE EXAMINATIONS BEGIN
08:30 Upper 6th Form Assembly (Patrick Troughton Theatre)
13:00 Eco Park Initiative Information Meeting (Crick Room)
16:15 Charity Committee Meeting (House reps) (RS1)
17:30 Boarders’ Food Council Meeting (Waiting Room)

Tuesday 17 May
ALL DAY AS Art Exams
13:15 Day and Café 6 Food Council Meeting (Waiting Room)
16:25 Rounders v Aldenham: Senior 2nd, U15B, U14B (home)
16:30 Tennis practice: U14 Boys and Girls
17:45-23:00 CCF Dinner at the Tower of London
18:00 MHS Court of Governors’ Academic Committee Meeting (Crick Room)

Wednesday 18 May
08:30 Chapel: Remitted
13:00 ECO Society Meeting (Waiting Room)
14:00 Cricket v Enfield Grammar: 1st XI (A), 2nd XI (home)
14:30 Tennis v UCS: Senior Boys (home)
15:30 Rounders Tournament at St James: 4th Form & Remove (away)

Thursday 19 May
08:30 Chapel: Weymouth House
12:45 ABMC Meeting (G6)
13:00 Mill Hill School Charity Committee Meeting (Waiting Room)
16:00 Cricket v Highgate: U14A & B (home), U15A & B (away)
16:30 Barnet Athletics League Match 2 (4th Form)

Friday 20 May
ALL DAY AS Drama Practical Exams
07:30-13:00 Junior Tennis Open: 4th Form Tennis Team to assist (Gosling Sports Park, Welwyn)
08:30 Chapel: Weymouth House
12:40 4th Form Scholars’ Meeting (E2)

Saturday 21 May
13:30 Cricket: Junior House Matches Preliminary Rounds
13:30 Tennis v Lycee Charles de Gaulle: AEGON Yr10 Boys ‘A’ (home)

Sunday 22 May
Boarders’ World Rugby Sevens Trip, Twickenham
12:30 Greek Community Lunch (Mill Hill School)

Monday 23 May
REMOVE PUPILS RETURN TO NORMAL LESSONS
08:30 Upper 6th Form Assembly (Patrick Troughton Theatre)
16:00 Rounders v South Hampstead: U14 A & B (away) (depart 15:00)
16:45 Tennis v South Hampstead: U15 Girls (away)

Tuesday 24 May
16:15 Boarders’ Housemasters’/Housemistresses’ Meeting (Crick Room)
16:30 Tennis v UCS: U14 & U15 Boys (away)
19:30 Confirmation Service, St Paul’s Church

Wednesday 25 May
08:30 Chapel: Remitted
08:30 Extended 4th Form and Remove Assembly: Anti-Bullying theme with guest speaker – Lance Corporal James Wharton
08:50-16:10 Remove Art Examination
10:00 Parents’ Reception for Upper 6th Form Leavers
10:45 Valedictory Service
11:30 Reception for Parents’ & Pupils for Upper 6th leavers (Top Terrace)
11:30 Cricket v Incogniti: 1st XI (home)
13:00 UPPER 6th FORM STUDY LEAVE BEGINS

Thursday 26 May
08:30 Separate Religious Assemblies: Christianity (Chapel), Islam (Theatre), Judaism (The Large), Hinduism (Music School)
16:15 Tennis v Lady Eleanor Holles: AEGON Y10 Girls (away)
19:30 Boarders’ Cinema Trip, Finchley Vue

Friday 27 May
08:30 Chapel: Remitted
12:40 4th Form Scholars’ Meeting (E2)
15:30 HALF TERM BEGINS
16:30 Spaghetti Golf (Staff) at Arkley Golf Club