5 July 2019 Dear Parents

A briefer Word from the Acting Head this week as we prepare for Founders’ Day tomorrow.

On Monday, we were delighted to welcome to Channing our new cohort of Year 7 pupils (and their parents),

who will start formally with us in September. They had an opportunity to meet their Head of Year, Mrs

Tomback, tutors, key staff as well as members of their new forms. I would describe the girls as interesting and

interested and they had lots of questions about the Year 7 experience at Channing. They were also treated to

our annual Year 7 Concert which happened immediately after the induction event. The range of music was

impressive and there were some memorable performances. Listen to some of the offerings on Soundcloud

below:

https://soundcloud.com/channing-school/sets/year-7-concert

We also had an Open Evening on Tuesday and over 400 visitors toured Channing with our wonderful Year 9

guides. The visitors I talked to commented upon the real sense of community, the impressive facilities and the

approachability and confidence of the girls. They were really impressed. I am grateful to Mrs Bhamra Burgess for

organising this elephantine feat.

Last week, I was delighted to attend the annual Channing Leavers’ Ball at The Glasshouse in Camden. It was a

fabulous evening and the students all looked amazing; unrecognisable from their Reception or Y7 class pictures. I

am grateful to Fiona Cartwright and Paula Staunton, two Y13 parents, along with the Channing Association (and

specifically Zena Watt) who took the lead in organising the Ball. Interrailing (Is that still fashionable?), holidays

and music festivals seem to be the order of the day whilst they await their results in August. We wish them all

the best of luck as well as a well deserved rest.

As you are aware, tomorrow is Founders’ Day which marks 134 years since the school was founded. I am so

proud to be part of the extraordinary legacy of the Sharpe sisters and the Revd Spears whose vision has been

well and truly realised in 2019. I attended the Founders’ Day Assembly at the Junior School this morning and

was blown away by the sheer enthusiasm and exuberance of the performances - a true celebration of the

founding of an esteemed educational institution.

I am sorry to say that I have been deeply disappointed this

week to receive various requests from Senior School

parents for absence from the Founders’ Day celebrations.

Founders’ Day is one of only two events each year, outside

of the normal school day, when we join together as a whole

school community to celebrate and reflect. Please could I

remind all parents that attendance at the Carol Concert and

Founders’ Day is compulsory for all Senior School pupils.

I look forward to welcoming you tomorrow.

With all best wishes,

Mr A J Underwood

Acting Head

Girls Enjoying Success Sports News Congratulations to Maddy Horsell 7SP who recently participated in netball trials and was selected to be part of

the Middlesex Academy. Well done Maddy!

Charity News Well done to Ariella Garth in Year 8 and her sister who were able to raise over £300 for refugees by hosting

and baking for a tea party at her house.

Biology News Medical Discussion Group On Tuesday lunchtime, the Medical Discussion Group welcomed Doctor Jean-Luc Daurat who came to speak

to Years 9 -12. Recently qualified from Bristol University, Dr Daurat gave an engaging talk about medical school;

how to get in, what it is like during and what happens after you complete the course. His naturally personable

style enthused the audience and will have surely inspired the next generation of potential Channing doctors.

Thank you, Dr Daurat for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit us.

Young Enterprise Below is the link to the Young Enterprise team Doodle Bloom’s presentation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SueTtuhoB-I&feature=youtu.be

MFL News Foreign Commonwealth Office Last Friday, Year 10 students visited the Foreign and

Commonwealth Office to learn about diplomacy and the

importance of languages. Upon entering, we were given a tour by

the former Ambassador to Angola, Pat Phillips, who told us the

history of the building itself. It was fascinating to discover that the

building’s beautiful architecture was discovered just before it was to

be demolished! Afterwards we visited the Foreign Secretary’s office

and also met Sir Simon MacDonald, the UK’s most senior diplomat.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions about his career path

as well as his role in today’s world. It was interesting to hear about

how far he has come, from studying at a state school in Salford to

becoming Permanent Under-Secretary! Walking around, we

discovered an original Enigma machine as well as vast murals

painted by Sigismund Goetze, who offered to create these works

for free! We ended the tour with talks from four inspiring female

diplomats as well as John Benjamin, Director of the Diplomatic Academy. We were told about life in the FCO,

how learning a language can impact positively upon on a career and about challenges diplomats face when

posted overseas, such as integrating personal life and business.

This was a truly amazing opportunity and I’m sure that Year 10 students now have a deeper understanding of

careers in diplomacy as well the value of learning foreign languages.

I would like to thank Ms Kyle and Ms Pavlopoulos for arranging this opportunity. I hope it has helped shape the

next generation of diplomats! - Alia Khalouf

Oxford German Olympiad I attended the Oxford German Olympiad Prize giving ceremony in the

Bodleian Library as a winner in my category. My category was to paint or

draw an animal in the style of the artist Franz Marc and write about a piece of

work that inspired it. When I entered the Bodleian Library, drinks and snacks

were being served. The room was divided into a prize winner section at the

front and a section for guests behind. The ceremony began with a welcome

speech by Professor Katrin Kohl. She spoke about the importance of learning

German and how it can be useful in everyday life. This was followed by an

informative talk by Professor Ritchie Robertson on the German Classic Prize.

Afterwards, the prizes were given out. I was called up to the podium and

received my certificate. Then a professional photographer took a photo of me with the speakers. I collected my

prize, which consisted of a book, a gift card to Blackwell’s, a postcard and a bookmark. I found the experience of

participating in the German Olympiad enriching to my education and knowledge of German culture. Irina

Nigam, Year 10

Big & Little Sisters This week the new Year 7 and 8 Officers organised the last big and little

sister activity of the academic year. During form time the students were

very excited to learn that they were decorating cupcakes (rich tea

biscuits) with the theme of kindness. Most of the students had eaten

their designs before we had a chance to choose a winner! There were

many smiley face designs and lots of creativity. We wish Year 8 the best

of luck for Year 9 and the Year 7s have already begun their big sister

roles with the new Year 7s starting at Channing. Thank you to the

Officers for organising such a great activity, enjoyed by all.

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expedition Last week, Year 9 students embarked on their first ever Duke of Edinburgh expedition to the New Forest. With

an ever-changing weather forecast in the week leading up to the trip, it was tricky to pack and prepare. We

were lucky to have dry and sunny weather in the end! Under the watchful eye of a member of staff groups took

a few wrong turns here and there on the first day, but they learned from their mistakes and all managed to

successfully navigate back to the campsite on day 2. In the evening, students enjoyed a barbeque as a reward for

completing their practice expedition. The trip was completed with a morning of outdoor and adventurous

activities such as high and low ropes, raft building and pioneering. Well done to all Year 9 students who came on

the trip. For many students this was physically and mentally one of the most difficult challenges they have ever

overcome!

Year 9 First Aid Course As part of the Bronze expedition training, Year 9 students completed an online first aid course in their lessons.

Last week, their knowledge was consolidated during a morning filled with practical first aid training run by

qualified instructors. Students had the chance to practise how to dress wounds, treat sprains, resuscitate a

casualty as well as recognise and deal with shock, heat stroke and unconsciousness. All students who completed

the training will receive a First Aid certificate.

Careers News Last week, Channing girls had the privilege of a cornucopia of careers-related events.

Kicking off with Year 12 networking with Channing's most recent alumnae, they gleaned current information on

courses, universities, gap years and volunteering. It was lovely to see the old girls back at this new event which

was the brainchild of the Year 12 Careers Leaders and Ms Kung - we hope to make this an annual event. Thank

you also to Ms Francis who made it happen.

Last Wednesday saw the very first Year 7 & 8 Careers Day. Students were excited to question Ms Smith, Mr

Seaton, Ms Schultz and Dr Dadds and to hear about their respective professional fields (law, finance, art and

science). They then participated in a self-discovery workshop culminating in a tower-building teamwork activity

and they researched Careers on the Indigo website.

On Thursday, we held our annual Careers Convention for Year 10 and Year 12 with 16 fantastic speakers

representing careers from stage management to structural engineering. For the first time, it included a

networking session which the girls thoroughly enjoyed.

They left our Entrepreneurs’ Panel excited and enthralled, having quizzed the founders of Livia’s (free from

treats), Sunuva (UV kids’ beachwear), Huckletree (co-working space) and Sticky Content (digital content)

expertly led by Mrs Devine. It is a reflection of the quality of the 20 speakers, that every one of them was

named by a student as having made the most impact on them that day.

On Friday, Year 10 attended a Work Insight Morning in six different workplaces: Freshfields, Softwire, Atkins,

fluxx, UCL’s Research Laboratories and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. They were inspired by their very

different experiences - from designing an app, to visiting the Royal Courts of Justice, to meeting Sir Simon

McDonald, the most senior diplomat in the land. Some girls even reported a ‘lightbulb moment’ when their

future career path became clear.

All of these opportunities were possible thanks to the generosity of the Channing community who give up their

time and energy in sharing their experience and opening their workplaces. We are so grateful.

News from the Junior School Founders’ Day Friday had an early Founders' Day surprise! The Junior School, unable

to celebrate Founders' Day in the traditional way tomorrow were,

nonetheless, robust in their determination to mark this special day in

their history. Every class displayed the amazing projects they had been

working on this week and then all met together for what will no

doubt be the inaugural 'Founders' Friday Assembly'. Miss Hamalis

talked about the history of the school and the theme of building high

and for the future were threads that wound its way through this

uplifting occasion. With the Year 1's singing 'Build it high' and the

whole of Key Stage 1 joining in with 'Power in Me' you could easily

see that Miss Emily and Matilda Sharp would be proud of these

young girls who so embody the values they set out to establish all

those years ago. Favourite hymns 'Shine Spirit Shine' and 'On Eagles

Wings' were sung with gusto and how the cornet trio had any puff

left for 'A Wonderful World' and 'A Whole New World' is a

testament to their strength. With the Junior School Orchestra

setting the scene at the beginning and the beautiful Rutter version of

'For the Beauty of the Earth' sung exquisitely by the Spears Vocal

Ensemble, Mrs A Thomas, our Junior School Governor certainly had plenty to smile about as she symbolically

named and opened the temporary buildings. Mr Underwood was also in attendance. The Temporary Sports Hall

will now be called Lavender Hall, with the Reception and Year 6 classes in Bluebell Building and Year 5 housed

in Fuchsia Building. What a start to a special Channing weekend!

Sports News Francesca Poulton Year 6, will be representing Haringey in the Swimming London Youth Games this weekend at

the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. Good luck Francesca!

Amelia Cohen & Natasha Hough Year 6 both competed and got into Middlesex County Netball. Well done!

Fairseat Talent Show What a fabulous talent show we had at the Junior School this week.

The finalists have worked so hard over the course of the summer

term in order to prepare for the show and we were not disappointed!

We saw many acts including ballet, rapping, comedy, magic,

gymnastics, singing and dancing. The audience were engaged

throughout and very supportive of all the acts. A special thank you to

all the staff who took part in the staff act of "The Lion King in 5

Minutes"; the girls absolutely loved it! The winning acts were:

3rd place: Serrana Bliss (4F) - Monologue

2nd place: Riana Attesli, Maya Nehorai and Samara Salaman (3M) -

Rapping

1st place: Orla O'Neill and Lauren Warshaw

A huge well done to everyone who took part!

4I Assembly This week Form 4I performed the final class assembly of the year. They thrilled their audience with amazing

rainforest animals facts and a beautifully acted story which taught an important lesson in why we need to help

protect precious habitats around the world.

Alumnae: Throwback Thursday Channing School @ChanningSchool

Today's #ThrowbackThursday @ChanningSchool is looking back to 1954 and Founders' Day, featuring the opening of

Haigh House. We're all looking forward to this year's Founders' Day, which takes place this Saturday.

#GirlsEnjoyingSuccess @GSAUK

Curry Ball Championship 2018/19!

Curry Ball will return to Channing for one last time this academic year, on Tuesday 9 July 2019 from 6:45 - 8pm on the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area).

For those who have not yet had a chance to take part, this event is held once a term at the Senior School for

fathers who like to meet up, play football and enjoy a curry at a nearby restaurant.

All fathers are welcome to join, whether newbie or veteran(!). It's a great atmosphere and a fun way for all to

get involved in the Channing community.

For those of you who have expressed an interest in attending the meal afterwards, this will take place at Kiplings

in Highgate, at 8:15/8:30pm. For £25, you can choose any starter*, any main course dish*, which will come with

rice and naan bread to accompany all dinners, as well as a bottle of beer or glass of wine (* excludes king

prawns). We look forward to seeing you all.

Should you wish to join the next match on 9 July, please complete this short google form (https://forms.gle/aho6yVsSDevBgM2G8) and the Development Department will contact you with further details

nearer the time.

Should you have any queries in the interim, please do not hesitate to contact Jade Francis in the Development

Office on the details below.

T: 020 8340 2328 E: development@channing.co.uk

Week Ahead Sunday 7 - Tuesday 9 July: Silver DoE Monday 8 July Founders’ Day Holiday

Tuesday 9 July 13.40 - 15.15 Sixth Form Fair

18.45 - 20.00 SS Dads Curry Ball

Wednesday 10 July 16.00 - 17.00 Silver DoE Kit Returns

Thursday 11 July Mark Reading

12.20pm End of Term

DoE Gold