2016 Summer Newsletter

2016 Summer Newsletter

Old Blew and The Orchard Newsletter Summer 2016

The importance of reflection should never be underestimated and it always gives me great joy at this time to look back over the year; the amount that goes on never ceases to amaze me. There has been much to celebrate and I am so proud of those that live under the Old Blew and Orchard rooves.

Away from the classroom, sport plays a major part in many of the boys’ lives and basketball is always a favourite. This year we have had many boys represent the College and Michael Yu, Jack McEvoy, Rian Hart, Webber Liu, Jacky Fung, Simon Xu, Mac Lertiendumrong, Francis Yang, Wesley Fong and Joshua Chan were all part of their respective teams and I am delighted to report that the U18s won the London League, U16s finished second, the U15s won the London cup and the U14s finished fourth; all in all a very successful year! Joshua Chan is a very talented fencer and it was great to see his involvement throughout the year but particularly in the National Schools Fencing competition, where he finished in 9th place. I am tempted to suggest that the rowers are amongst the very fittest boys in the College and I am delighted that Christian Hopper and Jean-Luc Zhu (Year 9) and Teddy Green and Joshua Hudson (Year 10) have been heavily involved, including the early morning fitness session – well done them! James Lattanzio’s success in winning the Dulwich College combined athletics event is a wonderful achievement and I am delighted that he also ran in the London mini-marathon and represented the College at the English Schools Swimming Finals, held at the Olympic Pool in Stratford.

Nick Brown – Housemaster

Following on from last year’s success, it seems somewhat a tradition to have representation from the House in the prestigious Weizmann Physics competition and I am proud to report that Freddie Mak and Jeremy Chang (Year 12) were both part of the team that reached the International final held in Israel. Science is a particular strength of the boarding house and I was delighted that Avi Kumar was selected to represent the College at the Queen

Mary University of London School Physicist of the Year competition. This followed Avi’s success along with Andrew Ng in the Cassini Scientist for a Day Competition, where both boys were announced as winners of the International competition.

A few of the boys have enjoyed fabulous work experience opportunities and this is an area that I am really keen to develop. Freddie Mak and Jeremy Chang benefitted from two weeks developing their understanding of civil engineering on a placement at Cross-rail. If you have ideas or contacts that might help offer more work placements in the future I would be really keen to discuss this with you.

It is always important to leave the Dulwich postcode from time-to-time and the Year 11 boys enjoyed a lovely day out at Oxford University, where they were given a private tour by Taylor Yu (OA and former Orchard house captain). Lunch at the Eagle and Child restaurant followed, famous for being the regular meeting spot of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. We also enjoyed a wonderful Chinese supper on a floating restaurant, moored in Docklands and the Crystal Palace versus Liverpool match was a particular highlight for some.

If you ask any of the boys in the House, they will tell you just how much Daniil Ivanov loves his music and it was an honour to see him perform at the CCF dinner, the Sports Dinner and for the Big Band at the Founders Day concert, in addition to his performance at the Hideaway Jazz Club. I really look forward to having the specialist music area within the house which will be fitting for our talented boys. I am delighted to report that nine of the Year 10 boys have undertaken the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award but particular congratulations to Jeremy Chang and Jimin Zhang (Year12) for completing the Gold Award.

Those of you that have read these newsletters over the past few years will have seen regular mention of the boarding house development that will see Old Blew and The Orchard linked. This will complement our two beautiful villas providing a contemporary, stylish and minimalist walkway that will connect the buildings. We are delighted with the final design and work will start imminently. I can also assure you that this will not disrupt the boys during the Michaelmas term. We are all really excited about the new facilities. This will significantly increase our communal space, provide a small cinema room, a music room, a new kitchen and a larger work room.

The Art exhibition was of an extraordinary standard this year and it was wonderful to see Maxime Cannamela (Year 9) and Khalil Gbla (Year 12) exhibiting their work and I also congratulate Khalil for his significant role as part of the editorial team that produced this year’s Political and Economic Review.

Looking ahead to next year, I would like to congratulate James Lattanzio (Year 11) who has been appointed as The Orchard House Captain and he will be supported by House prefects, Travis Yip, Max Mitchell, Adrian Suen, Daniil Ivanov and Avi Kumar. Freddie Mak (Year 13) will continue in his role as Captain of Old Blew, supported by Jimin Zhang. Seeking leadership opportunities is important and I ask the boys to challenge themselves and ensure that they do not just sit within their comfort zone. There are so many ways and opportunities in which they can develop as young men and I look forward to guiding them. During the second half of the Michaelmas half- term holiday, Dr Spence, Mrs Angel (Deputy Master, Pastoral) and Mr King (Deputy Master, Academic) will be visiting Hong Kong and I hope this will provide an opportunity for some of you to meet our senior staff. As the year draws to a close, it is always sad to say goodbye to a number of staff that have been such a valuable part of the boarding team. Mr Bill Athey and Mr Alan Quadros have both been part of the residential tutor team for many years and we will really miss them. Mr Athey leaves the boarding community as he takes up a part time teaching role and Mr Quadros leaves us to take up the post of Head of Academic Music at Dulwich College, Singapore; we wish them both well. It continues to be a great pleasure to be Housemaster of Old Blew and The Orchard and I feel very privileged to play a part in the lives of such talented boys. We have a wonderful community and the recent International Day, a true celebration of our cultural diversity, really showed this.

The boys all deserve a restful summer holiday and I wish all who await GCSE and AS level results the very best for these important days and I look forward to welcoming everyone back, refreshed and ready for the challenges that lie ahead as we’re all another year wiser! Nick, Sally, Freddie and Ridley

Important dates: • Thursday 18 August: A Level Results • Thursday 25 August: GCSE Results •  Tuesday 30 August: Boarding House opens

• Wednesday 31 August: Year 9 & Year 12 Induction Day

• Thursday 1 September: Michaelmas term begins

•  Sunday 4 September: Boarders’ service – parents and families of all boarders are invited to join us at the Chapel followed by a barbeque in the gardens of Dulwich Picture Gallery • Friday 23 September – Sunday 25 September: EXEAT (Years 7 – 11) •  Friday 14 October – Sunday 30 October: Half Term •  Friday 25 November – Sunday 27 November: EXEAT (Years 7 – 11)

•  Friday 16 December (1200): Term ends

International Day - Tug of War