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C O L L E G E Issue 6 Summer 2004

Charity Really Does Begin at Home

Photo Linda Clarkson

Teacher Paul Henson loses half a head of hair!

More than £3,000 was raised by pupils and parents at the school charity evenings when pupils and staff sang, acted, danced, and entertained capacity audiences with magic tricks.Whilst some of the money raised went to three local charities (Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation, Epsom Riding for the Disabled and Epsom Home Start) the main donation on this occasion was to the family of a member of staff who died tragically just before Christmas. Theatre Studies teacher Paul Henson contributed to the night by having half his head of hair and half his beard shaved off one evening and becoming completely bald the next!

Speaking of the show English teacher Richard Sheehan, who directed the event, said: “We enjoyed every minute even though it took extra hard work to put the show on, but doing it for charity made it even more worthwhile.”

Star Athlete in Fatal Accident It is with great sadness that readers who may not have seen the local press, will learn of the tragic death of 21-year-old Ed Prickett (Hawthorns). Ed was a recent leaver from the College and an outstanding athlete hoping for Olympic selection. He was competing in the British Universities Championships at Gateshead when he took time out to cross a four-lane road to get some food in between supporting his team. He was in a collision with a taxi and died almost instantly.

Founder’s Day 2004 Photo Linda Clarkson

Balloons released on Founder’s Day 2004 travelled far and wide as the College raised over £600 for charities Epsom Home Start, Epsom Riding for the Disabled and the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation – Banstead Brain injury centre. The furthest return to date is from Normandy…some never left the College grounds!

Photo John Odell Photo John Odell

The late Ed Prickett during his time at Epsom.

Ed was at Nottingham University studying Management Studies and lived in Bletchingly; he started at the College in 1996 and left in 2001. One of Ed’s former teachers and the current Deputy Head of Epsom College is Mr John Hartley. Reflecting on the tragedy he said: “Not only was Ed one of the highest ranking sportsmen of his generation but one of the best runners the College has seen in living memory. He was an extraordinary athlete and much admired by pupils and staff for his single-minded attitude and the way in which he managed to fit his academic study around his very strenuous and time-consuming training regime. We are all deeply shocked by this tragedy and the whole College’s thoughts are with this young man’s family and friends.”

The new Mayor of Epsom Brian Angus, an Old Epsomian, and his wife Margaret, the Lady Mayoress, joined the College Council guests for the 149th annual Founder’s Day at the College.

Photo Linda Clarkson

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Major - General Reviews Epsom College Cadets Major-General L P Lillywhite, Director General Army Medical Services, visited Epsom College for this year’s Annual General Inspection of the Combined Cadet Force.The General also presented A/Lt-Col. M Hampshire with a Commendation for Meritorious Service as announced in the New Year Honours and Captain E Huxter a London District Certificate for Dedicated and Exemplary Service. Between them they have served for 50 years with the cadet movement at Epsom College. A series of competitions was held during the day with Granville House taking the lion’s share of the prizes.

Photo Linda Clarkson

Photo Linda Clarkson

Students stand to attention for inspection.

Teen Life A DAY IN THE LIFE of boarder Sophie Billings.

Linda Clarkson

In this extract from an article printed in a French magazine on ‘ a day in the life of a pupil in an English boarding school’ Sophie Billings gives an insight into boarding life.

Why do you go to Epsom? I chose Epsom College because it is very similar to my prep school. I also found that Epsom was quite traditional, without being over the top, academic but also very sporty. It's the type of school that will suit not only me, but also my two younger sisters and my younger brother. Lucy, the elder of my younger sisters is already here at Epsom with me, in the year below. What was your first year like? When I first got here, I found the school very big and slightly scary, but my fears evaporated within my first day! I found the other pupils, the teachers and House staff very welcoming, and I discovered that we were able to try a wide range of fun activities that we wouldn't get an opportunity to do at other schools.

Did you miss living at home? I don't miss living at home, as the facilities and everything else here are every bit as good as I would get at home. And I'm with many other pupils that know more than I do, so boarding is very helpful that way -- it means that on difficult homework I can get help from the older students or a teacher in the house. Meals here are generally quite a sociable event too and the food is very good considering the quantity the cooks have to produce. The puddings are especially nice. However, I do, miss seeing my parents every day, as I am very close to them. How often do you go home to visit? I go home every Saturday afternoon, and then come back to school every Sunday

A/Lt-Col Mike Hampshire with Capt. Eric Huxter behind receive their certificates from Major-General Lillywhite, Director General Army Medical Services.

evening, and I also get two ‘exeats’ (a full weekend) a term at home, three half-term holidays (one or two weeks in the middle of each term) and then three long holidays. What subjects do you study? English Language, English Literature, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, History, Geography and Information Technology, in which I am working towards my GCSEs. I also do Religious Studies and PSE (Personal and Social Education) just for general knowledge as well as PE and many specific sports lessons. Which ones are your favourites? My favourite subjects are Maths (I know it is unusual but I find it reasonably easy), History and English Literature. I enjoy history as I find exploring the information about the past of our country interesting, and putting my point across in essays is my sort of thing. I really like English, as reading is one of my favourite hobbies and English Lit gives me an excuse to read - not that I generally need one! Do you have a favourite sport? I especially enjoy rounders and am bowler for my school year group team. In the winter term I play hockey and in the

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Biggest Ever Prep Schools Superteams Event “I didn’t think it could get any better,” said one of the prep school PE teachers who along with many Epsom College staff gave up a Sunday in May as over 800 prep school competitors and their parents turned out for the Epsom College 27th Annual Prep Schools Event. Over 60 boys’ and girls’ teams in three age groups from 18 prep schools participated in eleven different sporting events, ranging from gym tests and swimming to basketball and netball shooting.

performances whilst the Under 9 Boys from Parkside School, Cobham romped into first place. Downsend School, Ashtead pipped Feltonfleet School, Cobham to the post in the under 11 Girls whilst the Under 11 Boys event was won by Cranmore School, Effingham. In the Under 13 Girls Downsend was victorious with the Under 13 Boys’ title taken by Parkside, Cobham to ensure these two schools took the overall trophies.

Photo Jane Britton

Boys’ winners Parkside School, Cobham.

Photo Jane Britton

Downsend winners of the overall girls’ trophy.

The Under 9 Girls was won by Danes Hill School, Oxshott with some outstanding spring term - netball. Then in the summer it’s rounders and tennis. And what about extracurricular activities? We do CCF (Combined Cadet Force), which is Army, Navy and Air Force combined, which is fun. People in the Air Force get flying experience, people in the Navy get to spend time on a working ship, and we also do abseiling, assault courses, orienteering, and other such events. And there are a lot of other activities you can do here, such as fencing, yoga, dancing, debating… the list is endless. When does your day start, and when do you go to bed? We are supposed to get up between 7 and 7.30am, so we can get to breakfast! My year goes to bed at approximately 10:15, that's our ‘bedtime’, but this can vary depending on what’s going on. What do you and your friends enjoy doing together? Generally, my friends and I do most of the typical ‘girlie’ stuff - sleepovers, chatting, listening to music being the favourites.

Photo Jane Britton

The Small Schools’ Shield was won by St Andrew’s School for the 2nd year.

Photo Jane Britton

Family and friends turned out in droves to support the youngsters in ‘Superteams’.

Joshua Wins Trip of a Lifetime Fifteen-year-old Joshua Birch (Shrewsbury House) couldn’t believe his luck when his mother saw an advertisement to hear Ranulph Fiennes at the Royal Geographical Christmas Charity Lecture and bought three tickets. But on the night his mother was ill and so turning up with his father David, Joshua decided to buy some tickets for the raffle. Now he really was about to get lucky when he heard he had won a trip to Antarctica in February for 2 people for 2 weeks. Father and son flew to Buenos Aires before taking a flight to Tierra Del Fuego and embarking on a two-week cruise to Antarctica. Speaking of the trip they said: “We simply couldn’t believe we’d won. It was amazing seeing all the

wildlife of the region and meeting and listening to world-renowned ornithologists. We even had to pick up special kit because of the freezing temperatures but it was a really incredible experience.”

David and Joshua Birch

Joshua Birch (Shrewsbury House) and his father David spread the word about ‘150’ at Epsom College on their landing in Antarctica.

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Marathon Run for Hope Children’s Charity It took Clive Case, Lay Chaplain and Head of Theology and Philosophy at Epsom College, just 4 hours and 10 minutes to complete the gruelling London Marathon on Sunday 18th April, raising £1,300 for the Charity ‘HOPE’ which works on behalf of Handicapped Orphaned Poor and Exploited children all over the world. Once he had received his acceptance to take part in the London Marathon Clive started training with Epsom College students and gradually built up his training regime to 3-hour runs. An immaculately dressed, cleanshaven young man, Clive grew a beard until he received £1,000 in donations.

Countdown In just a matter of weeks the 150th Anniversary Celebration Year of Epsom College will begin. The first event is the Epsom College 10-mile race which is being organised by Epsom and Ewell Harriers as usual but which this year may start in the College grounds and is supported by the school in association with Lester Bowden as part of our commitment to the local community. We hope to have 150 runners representing the College in this 150th anniversary year so if you are a keen runner and would like to join in the challenge please e-mail [email protected] for more information. Our sincere thanks to Lester Bowden for their support in this significant year.They have run the College shop for seven years and we are delighted that they have demonstrated the close relationship by co-sponsoring the 10-mile race in the local area. The anniversary lecture series looks like being a real hit with Dr Mike Stroud, medical explorer, and Sir Peter Torry, Ambassador to Berlin, already confirmed. The ticket booking form for these events, the concert at St John’s Smith Square and the Service of Thanksgiving in Guildford Cathedral should be with readers by late July if not before. Spaces for some events are very restricted so do book your tickets early. The Royal Albert Hall Celebration, the Official Opening Event on November 25th 2004, should be a sell-out, with only 650 tickets to go for a full house.We hope this will really be an evening to remember. Call the Royal Albert Hall Box Office on 020 7589 8212 if you have not booked already and are hoping to be there.

Speaking of the day he said: “I was spurred on by the crowd including Epsom College students and it was satisfying to complete the Marathon but doubly so having raised money for the Charity ‘HOPE’.”

Photo Linda Clarkson

Action Photo Photo Linda Clarkson

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n to 150 Finale Event Planning for the Party in the Park family day in June 2005 is still in its infancy but watch out for further information later in the year. Photo Linda Clarkson

Rehearsals for the Royal Albert Hall have stretched the minds and bodies of musicians, dancers, actors and stage teams in the build-up to a real Celebration show in November.

Sponsors for the 150th Anniversary A special thank you to our sponsors for their commitment and enthusiasm for the College’s activities:

Special Request Any parents who would able to help with hair or make-up on or before the big day and with dressmaking in the run-up to the show please do contact the 150th coordinator on [email protected]

Allied Irish Bank are supporting the 28th Annual Prep School Superteams event and the Regional Finals of the National Schools Rugby Tournament at Epsom College.

BAINES design & print

UBS Laing and Cruickshank have supported the College events as a general open gift and The Warren Pickett Adventure Trust will be sponsoring part of the Lecture Series.

Lester Bowden (1898) Limited are joint sponsors with Epsom College for the 10 mile race organised by Epsom & Ewell Harriers in September which we anticipate will start from the College grounds.

Baines Design and Print are Official Suppliers of Print for the anniversary year.

jones knowles ritchie designers are Supplier of Designs for the Royal Albert Hall programme

Commercial Grounds Care are supporting the finals of the National Prep Schools Rugby Tournament at Epsom College and the entertainers for the Party in the Park on Founder’s Day, June 2005.

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Sports Shorts National Honours for Epsom College No less than eight Epsom College pupils have achieved National Honours in Target Rifle Shooting this season. Fred Beadle 18 (Chinthurst), and Tom Hunter 17 (Glenalmond College), have been selected to represent the Great Britain Cadet Rifle Team (the Athelings) in Canada in August. Alex Kent 17 (Sutton High School), James Morris, 16 (Chinthurst), Matthew Millar 16 (Aberdour), and James Lothian 16 (Chinthurst), all underwent selection over Easter for the UK Cadet Rifle Team which travels to the Channel Islands in the summer. Fred Beadle also represented England Schools A this term, whilst James Morris and Attasit Athkravisoonthorn, 18, (Kasetart University Laboratory School) represented England B. Alex Kent and James Lothian represented England C. To add interest to this match Tom Hunter and Sam Hunter 14 (Ardvreck College) represented Scotland A. Under the guidance of Head of the Target Rifle Team, James Postle, who was himself selected as Commandant of the Great Britain Under 19 Rifle Team, the College remained unbeaten in school matches and worked very hard in defence of the National Trophy – The Country Life Competition.

Epsom College Heading for Success In the prestigious Roehampton Club Squash Tournament Epsom College played outstandingly beating Charterhouse, KCS Wimbledon and Eton and coming second overall after losing to eventual winners Marlborough.

Girls’ Sports Day Epsom played host to over 100 Lower Sixth girls from Eastbourne, Charterhouse and Ardingly for the annual Lower Sixth Sports Day.The girls competed in a range of sports including tennis, volleyball, rounders, squash and swimming. The 20-strong Epsom team secured gallant victories in tennis, in volleyball with a scratch team and in rounders, with Eastbourne consistent in second place. The squash round didn’t prove to be our best, but a couple of players stepped in at the last minute to ensure some points were won; particular thanks to Chloe Handley (West Hill Park), Krysta Munford (Reigate Grammar School) and Genny Glass (Tormead School). As Epsom came to the last round they were ahead of Eastbourne by just half a point, closely followed by Charterhouse and Ardingly. Our Sussex friends came alive in the water and Ardingly pushed Epsom to produce some superb performances, especially from Sophie Dick (Danes Hill) and the whole team in the relays. Epsom proudly managed to keep the trophy in Epsom through an entire squad performance where individuals made unselfish team decisions that won the day. Congratulations to all the Lower Sixth girls.

Photo John Odell

6th former Sophie Hazell (Farnborough Hill School) helped Epsom to the trophy in the Lower Sixth Sports Day.

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Unusual Gift for College

College Expansion Continues

President of ‘The Friends’, local resident and Old Epsomian Peter Dodd, together with the Hon.Sec. Carol Creevey, presented the Headmaster of Epsom College Stephen Borthwick with keys to a brand new golf buggy – but not for use on a golf course! The College, one of the first schools to invest in a golf buggy, not for golf – has acquired the buggy to help visitors enjoy the beautiful 80-acre site without having to cope with wet and muddy conditions in winter and to assist those visitors who find walking difficult.

Photo Linda Clarkson

The extension of Holman House under construction.

Building at Epsom College continues with the College numbers expanding and facilities constantly being updated. Holman House and Forest House are currently undergoing extension and refurbishment as part of the rolling programme for Houses throughout the College.

Librarians in the Limelight Librarian Sarah Pavey and Assistant Wendy Spink, were invited to speak at the National Library and Information Show, the main national exhibition for information specialists. Leading a light hearted debate and presenting alongside the Marketing Director of Euromonitor (the online business statistics database) the College librarians found themselves in good company with top authors and the Poet Laureate.

Photo Linda Clarkson

A photograph of the College’s award winning library won the NLIS Photographic Competition in 2002 and can be seen on the College website library page together with the online link to the library catalogue.

Dr Bernard Sully Charitable Trust Photo Linda Clarkson

Sarah Williams (Head of Chemistry) was delighted to receive a donation from the Bernard Sully Charitable Trust. On behalf of the trust Sarah Teasdale, College Bursar (left), presented Mrs Williams with a cheque for £10,000 that will be used to help the teaching of Science at Epsom College, in accordance with the donor’s wishes.

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Keeping the Options Open Pupils at Epsom College who want to consider entrance to a university in the United States of America can now prepare for the Standard Aptitude Tests (SAT preparation course) at the College. The tests, which are a requirement for all US universities and may be beneficial if applying to other international universities, are run by Kaplan, a leader in the field of test preparation who have run courses since 1938 overseas and in London since 1993. Eleven Lower Sixth pupils will be taking the SAT course in 2004-2005.

Choir Make Their Mark Under the direction of Mr Graeme Lodge, Director of Music, the Chapel choir sang Evensong at Canterbury Cathedral following a highly successful sung Evensong at Winchester Cathedral earlier in the year.

Royal Association The Council Secretary, Archivist and Contingent Commander of CCF travelled to Aldershot to witness the recent opening of the Army Medical Services Museum by Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex. The Council and CCF had sponsored an exhibit in the museum and the group were joined by Mrs. Jean Smart, the daughter of famous Old Epsomian Brigadier HL Glyn Hughes C.B.E., D.S.O.**, M.C., F.R.C.G.P., who established a 14,000 bed hospital for the care of prisoners from Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp after their liberation.

Photo John Odell

Photo Freddie Brown MOD

The Council Secretary Mr John Higgs was introduced to Her Royal Highness,The Countess of Wessex by Captain (Retd) PH Starling Curator of The Army Medical Services Museum.

Epsom College, College Road, Epsom, Surrey KT17 4JQ Tel: 01372 821000 Fax: 01372 821005 e-mail: [email protected] web: www.epsomcollege.org.uk For 150th Anniversary information e-mail: [email protected] Edited by Jane Britton Photographs as credited Baines Design & Print - Tel: 01707 876555 Names in brackets signify previous schools

Photo John Higgs

Almost 200 guests enjoyed the annual Burns Night hosted by ‘The Friends of Epsom College’ in the College dining room.